The streets for schools reduce air pollution by up to 30% on average
The Respire and Airgones associations publish the first evaluation study of ten street developments in schools and their impact on air quality. The measurement campaign carried out in real time shows a downward effect on nitrogen dioxide concentrations of up to 30% on average.
The Respire and Airgones associations measured the pollution in real time around ten schools (nine schools in Paris and one in Bagnolet) in order to observe the effect of street development at schools (pedestrianization around the school which may be accompanied by the partial or total stopping of road traffic).
To do this, the associations have carried out several measurement campaigns on NO2 and PM2.5 concentrations with the companies Rincent Air and Pollutrack. Two NO2 measurement campaigns took place from June 14 to 28, 2023 and from September 21 to October 6, 2023. The PM2.5 measurement campaign took place continuously from June 14, 2023 to April 30, 2024.
The results show an impact of street improvements to schools on pollution : concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) drop by up to 30% around pedestrianized schools.
En revanche, sur les particules fines PM2.5, l’effet est négligeable en raison de conditions météorologiques entraînant de faibles niveaux de pollution.
« The streets for schools, it works to reduce pollution ! This is the first real-time evaluation study carried out in France which demonstrates this! » rejoices Tony Renucci, director of the Respire association.
Full article (Fr) : Respire Association