Heatwave poses health, pollution dangers to France

Temperatures in parts of France could reach 37°C Wednesday and Thursday, posing serious and health and safety risks, reports RFI.

The French weather service issued an Orange heatwave alert to 66 departments, warning residents to seek a climate-controlled space and avoid going out during the hottest hours of the day.

Meteorologists say that temperatures were expected to hit 37°C in the Val-de-Marne, east of Paris, 36°C in Landes in the south-west and 35°C in Aube in the east by Wednesday afternoon.

Beyond heatstroke, authorities worry that the high temperatures could elevate already high pollution levels in and around Paris.

The concentration of ozone in the Paris region has exceeded the recommended level of 180g/m³ since Monday.

Read more of this report from RFI.