Health scandal over 'unprecedented' lead levels after Notre-Dame fire

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Levels of lead concentration 400 to 700 times the maximum authorised limit have been detected in the ground inside and around Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris since the fire that destroyed it in April, according to confidential documents seen by Mediapart. Neither the regional health authority nor the Paris police authorities – who have carried out one of the tests - have passed on these results to people living near by or people working in contaminated areas. One reason for not doing so is apparently the fear of alarming people. Pascale Pascariello reports.

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The levels of lead found in the ground in and near Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris since the fire that destroyed it earlier this year are between 400 and 700 times the authorised maximum level, according to confidential documents seen by Mediapart. These figures are based on tests carried out by several different laboratories, including one belonging to the Paris police authority, the Préfecture de Police.

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