Breathing in Paris has gotten easier. The assessment published by Airparif, the independent air quality monitoring organization for the Paris region, in two reports released on Wednesday, August 27, was clear: Air quality in the French capital improved again in 2024, continuing a trend that has been underway for at least twenty years.

Over the past 10 years, average nitrogen dioxide concentrations – a gas harmful to the respiratory system and mainly emitted by combustion-engine vehicles – fell by 45%. Fine particulate matter, which is also produced by cars as well as wood heating, decreased by 35% over the same period. As a result, in 2024, concentrations measured for both types of pollution stayed below regulatory thresholds, except for some "occasional exceedances" for nitrogen dioxide.

Although conditions have improved, Airparif warned that Parisian air remains far from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. As things stand, 70% of residents are breathing air that will still exceed the regulatory limits required by 2030. "Efforts need to be maintained due to the strengthening of regulations and WHO recommendations," the organization cautioned.

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