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Prefectural information and alert procedures
To meet the requirements of the air quality law, information and alert procedures have been set up in the Auvergne region by Prefectural Order. These procedures cover:
- The region of Clermont-Ferrand / Riom / Issoire (Prefectural Order dated 1 July 2004)
- The Allier Department (Prefectural Order dated 28 January 2005)
- The Aurillac metropolitan area (Prefectural Order dated 13 July 2000)
- The Haute-Loire Department (Prefectural Order dated 21 July 2004)
These orders cover the organisation of stepwise actions and measures in the event of air pollution peaks.The following table gives concentration thresholds, expressed in µg/m 3, selected for the various pollutants governed by the above-mentioned regulations:
| Pollutant |
Information and recommendation level
(for 2 stations at an interval
of less than 3 hours) |
Alert level
(for 2 stations at an interval
of less than 3 hours) |
| O3 |
180 µg/m3 (hourly mean) |
1st threshold : 240 µg/m3 (hourly mean, exceeded for three consecutive hours)
2nd threshold : 300 µg/m3 (hourly mean, exceeded for three consecutive hours)
3rd threshold : 360 µg/m3 (hourly mean) |
| NO2 |
200 µg/m3 (hourly mean) |
200 µg/m3 (hourly mean, in the event the concentration threshold is exceeded the day before
and if there is a risk of it being exceeded again the following day)
400 µg/m3 (hourly mean) |
| SO2 |
300 µg/m3 (hourly mean) |
500 µg/m3 (hourly mean, exceeded for three consecutive hours) |
Prefectural information and alert procedure triggers
These two pollution levels are explained below:
- The information and recommendation level involves providing the general public with information and recommendations on the air pollution peak. Atmo Auvergne forwards a special information bulletin to various organisations and media outlining the nature of the threshold exceedance. This information is then broadcast by the media to alert the general population. Following on from this level, and depending on forecast changes in pollutant concentrations, the Prefect may decide to take certain measures to limit the scope and effects of the air pollution episode.
- The alert level means that emergency measures (restriction or suspending of activities contributing to air pollution) must be taken. As regards the Clermont-Ferrand metropolitan area measures include alternate traffic days as specified by the French order issued by the Puy-de-Dôme Prefecture (French order dated 23 March 1999 relating to the implementation of alternate traffic days measures in the Clermont-Ferrand metropolitan area in the event of an air pollution episode).
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