The current heatwave, combined with vehicle and industrial emissions, have pushed Monaco’s air quality levels to dangerously high levels, prompting a warning from the Prince’s Government and recommendations on how to stay safe.
Monaco and the French Riviera are sweltering through a heatwave, with temperatures reaching 30°C+ in most cities.
This heat, combined with the pollution generated from cars and industrial activity, and a severe lack of wind, has pushed Monaco’s air quality level to 180 μg/m3, the threshold at which the government is obligated to send out a warning.
“Due to the persistent high heat and weak winds, which are unfavourable to the dispersion of the pollutants emitted and in order to reduce the emission of pollutants into the atmosphere, the Government is issuing the following recommendations,” said the government in a statement.
It recommends that vulnerable people, including pregnant women, infants and young children, people over 65, and those suffering from cardiovascular disease or asthma, limit intense physical and sporting activities in the open air; limit outings during the hottest hours of the day; choose shorter outings and those that require the least effort; and seek medical advice in the event of respiratory or cardiac discomfort.
For the entire population, the government asks that people choose non-polluting modes of travel for short journeys; limit, for private and professional travel, the use of motor vehicles by using public transport and carpooling; and avoid travel on major highways during peak periods.
Air quality in the Principality is monitored by an automated network of five measurement stations: rue Grimaldi, boulevard Charles III, place des Moulins, Fontvieille and quai Antoine 1er. The recorded data is processed daily by the Department of the Environment.
Air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, dust and ozone (O3) are continuously measured.
Monaco and the French Riviera have been placed on Orange Warning for extremely high temperatures, which is due to end at midnight on Tuesday 11th July.
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