Implementation of scenarios for a low emission zone in Greater Paris

Abstract

OPS 02: Environmental epidemiology and policy, Room 315, Floor 3, August 28, 2019, 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM Background/Aim: Few studies have assessed the effects of policies aimed at reducing traffic-related air pollution. This study sought to evaluate the expected impacts on air quality and health of four different scenarios (perimeter and restriction levels) of an intervention to create a low-emission zone (LEZ) in Greater Paris by 2019. Methods: We evaluated the effects of this intervention on various stages in the full-chain model: pressures (traffic flows, type of vehicles and related driven kilometers), emissions, fine-scale NO2 concentrations, exposure of residents and health impacts. We calculated the overall benefits of expected air-pollution improvement in terms of preventable deaths, cases of three major diseases and some related acute effects: onsets of ischemic heart diseases (IHD) in adults, onsets of asthma in children and low birthweight newborns. The impacts were assessed within the LEZ and outside. Results: The best LEZ option should lower the maximum level of exposure from 55 to 42 µg/m3 in Paris. This scenario would allow avoiding in 1 year for 9.4 million residents: 340 deaths (-0.6%), which represents 114,300 years of life gained; 170 low birth weights (-4.9%); 130 onsets of IHD (-1.8%); and 2,930 onsets of asthma (-3.0%). Acute effects could also be prevented: 410 hospitalizations for IHD (-2.5%); and 700 emergency room visits for asthma (-3.4%). Some of these gains concern residents outside the LEZ though lower reductions of air pollution are expected. Results highlight the benefits of applying the intervention to a wider zone (including 80 more cities surrounding Paris): moreover it would produce a more equitable spread of the benefits among the population. Conclusions: The creation of a LEZ can be difficult to accept by some categories of commuters and economic stakeholders. This study provides authorities with detailed analyses of implications for policy discussions and for defining the relevant measures to be taken.