Skip to main content

Paris pavement pollution poses problem?

Cause for concern has been identified in French capital Paris, with research suggesting that as much as a third of roads in the city may be contaminated with asbestos. Studies have shown that 39% of road surfaces in Paris are contaminated by two types of asbestos, actinolite and chrysotile. The latter was incorporated into road materials used in the past. The specific danger to public health from the use of asbestos in the roads has not yet been revealed. But asbestos is known to have been widely used in co
December 15, 2014 Read time: 1 min
Cause for concern has been identified in French capital Paris, with research suggesting that as much as a third of roads in the city may be contaminated with asbestos. Studies have shown that 39% of road surfaces in Paris are contaminated by two types of asbestos, actinolite and chrysotile. The latter was incorporated into road materials used in the past. The specific danger to public health from the use of asbestos in the roads has not yet been revealed. But asbestos is known to have been widely used in construction and its health implications are now much more widely understood than previously. As a result its use has been more or less phased out for construction or industrial purposes.

Related Content

  • Improving safety for vulnerable road users
    January 2, 2013
    Dutch-style cycle safety for other European nations – Mike Woof writes A recent event held in London during October was aimed at improving safety for vulnerable road users. Called Love London go Dutch, the event was intended to highlight some of the experience from Holland in reducing risk rates for vulnerable road users such as cyclists. Similar events were held in other UK cities, while other major European cities such as Paris that are seeing an increase in cycling also have a lot to learn from Dutch exp
  • French infrastructure to be privatised?
    July 4, 2012
    How will the deep cuts hitting France's national budget affect French roads and highways? Gordon Feller discusses France has one of the most modern transport systems in Europe, the result of decades of public spending on the sector as well as other infrastructure. The government historically has awarded contracts to build infrastructure to French construction and engineering companies, some of which are now among the world's largest contractors. Among other achievements, France's infrastructure programme re
  • UK developing plan to tackle driving under the influence of drugs
    March 22, 2012
    The UK Government is now working on a plan to address the road safety issues caused by driving under the influence of drugs. A panel of experts has been set up to evaluate the levels of various illegal drugs in the bloodstream that would affect driving ability.
  • Taming traffic in urban areas
    August 15, 2019
    The success of the motor car as a form of transport is also proving its undoing. In urban areas around the world, passenger cars clog the roads and add to air pollution. Reducing urban traffic congestion is being seen as a priority in many cities. French capital Paris has had a number of car-free days, which has more recently been replicated in Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh. Looking ahead, the plan by Edinburgh’s local authority is to cut city centre traffic by 30% in 10 years. Congestion charging has bee