Spike in Paris air pollution triggers urgent measures to lower speed limits, ban trash burning
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}FILE - In this March 14, 2014 file photo, the Eiffel Tower, is photographed through the smog in Paris. Paris police have lowered speed limits and ordered a halt to trash burning Wednesday, March 18, 2015 as part of emergency measures triggered by a spike in air pollution — months before the city hosts a major international climate conference. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon, File) (The Associated Press)
Paris police have lowered speed limits and ordered a halt to trash burning as part of emergency measures triggered by a spike in air pollution — months before the city hosts a major international climate conference.
The police department says Wednesday's order includes a 20 kph (12 mph) reduction in speed limits on highways in the metropolitan area.
It comes after state monitoring agency AirParif reported that air pollution rose to "high" under a European classification system. It said changes in weather, and emissions from agricultural activities and road traffic caused the increase.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Paris experienced a similar spike in air pollution last year that ultimately led to imposed, temporary reductions on the numbers of vehicles allowed to circulate.
The city will host a two-week U.N. climate conference starting in November.