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| Paris restricts car use after pollution hits high | Paris restricts car use after pollution hits high |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Alternate driving days are being introduced in the French capital, Paris, in an attempt to tackle dangerous levels of air pollution. | |
| From Monday, drivers will only be able to use their vehicles every other day. | From Monday, drivers will only be able to use their vehicles every other day. |
| This is only the second time since 1997 that such a restriction has been enforced. | This is only the second time since 1997 that such a restriction has been enforced. |
| The French government made the decision after air pollution exceeded safe levels for five days running in Paris and surrounding areas. | The French government made the decision after air pollution exceeded safe levels for five days running in Paris and surrounding areas. |
| Motorcycles will also be covered by the ban, which will allow only vehicles with number plates terminating in an uneven digit to take to the roads, beginning at 05:30 (04:30 GMT) on Monday. | Motorcycles will also be covered by the ban, which will allow only vehicles with number plates terminating in an uneven digit to take to the roads, beginning at 05:30 (04:30 GMT) on Monday. |
| On Friday, public transport was made free of charge for three days in an attempt to encourage people to leave their cars at home. This measure will continue on Monday. | On Friday, public transport was made free of charge for three days in an attempt to encourage people to leave their cars at home. This measure will continue on Monday. |
| The smoggy conditions have been caused by a combination of cold nights and warm days, which have prevented pollution from dispersing. | The smoggy conditions have been caused by a combination of cold nights and warm days, which have prevented pollution from dispersing. |
| The capital's air quality has been one of the worst on record, French environmental agencies say, rivalling the Chinese capital, Beijing, one of the world's most polluted cities. | The capital's air quality has been one of the worst on record, French environmental agencies say, rivalling the Chinese capital, Beijing, one of the world's most polluted cities. |
| On Friday, pollution levels hit 180 microgrammes of PM10 particulates per cubic metre, more than double the safe limit of 80. | On Friday, pollution levels hit 180 microgrammes of PM10 particulates per cubic metre, more than double the safe limit of 80. |
| PM10 particulates are emitted by vehicles, heating systems and heavy industry. | PM10 particulates are emitted by vehicles, heating systems and heavy industry. |
| The government will review pollution levels on Monday, before deciding whether to extend the driving restrictions for longer. | The government will review pollution levels on Monday, before deciding whether to extend the driving restrictions for longer. |