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

  • The challenge of integrating new mobility, a study
    February 6, 2020
    An ongoing study is benchmarking progress towards adapting roads to new mobility, explains Christophe Nicodème*
  • Distracted driving a problem in the UK
    July 22, 2015
    New research by the UK’s Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) reveals the high risk of distracted driving. Many drivers are using their phones and tablets to take selfies, make video calls and watch videos while at the wheel according to the report. The findings come from research commissioned this month exclusively by the IAM, which asked 500 drivers how they use their smartphones and tablets in the car.
  • Digital opportunities: Eurasphalt & Eurobitume (E&E) event, Berlin
    July 3, 2018
    Traditional players in the European bitumen sector need to grasp digital technology in all its forms to survive. Kristina Smith reports from the recent E&E conference in Berlin.
  • Advances in bitumen technology will boost surface wear life and quality
    September 19, 2012
    From chip fat to banana bags, the race is on to find new bitumen additives which will solve two problems with one solution: replace diminishing petrochemical-based products and make use from waste rather than landfilling it - Kristina Smith reports It is not just the desire to preserve our environment which is driving the industry’s search for products which don’t eat up raw materials. The hunger of emerging economies – particularly China – mean that resources can be hard to come by, so it makes sense for s