The Smog Monster has invaded Europe: A toxic cloud of pollution is hovering over parts of Europe, blotting out the treasured skylines of both Paris and London!
Air alerts have been issued over areas of Northern Europe, as winds began to blow the contaminated air from heavy industrialized nations in Central Europe and across the English Channel to the UK, giving cause to London's nickname of "The Big Smoke". Government officials in the UK warned residents that the pollution could cause health concerns for the very young, the elderly and people with respiratory illnesses or asthma, but did not pose a threat to healthy members of the general population. Limited outdoor activities has also been advised.
Across the channel in France, Parisian authorities have requested emergency, traffic-limiting measures to reduce the amount of traffic in and around the City of Lights in an attempt to cut down on carbon emissions from vehicles. Mayor of Paris Ann Hidalgo asked French authorities to stop one in every two cars from entering the cosmopolitan capital and implored the population to use public transport.
The toxic cloud is expected to disperse slightly on Friday, as winds are forecast to change direction. The bothersome pollution comes almost exactly a year after the continent's last winter battle with unhealthy air levels in March of 2014.
Air alerts have been issued over areas of Northern Europe, as winds began to blow the contaminated air from heavy industrialized nations in Central Europe and across the English Channel to the UK, giving cause to London's nickname of "The Big Smoke". Government officials in the UK warned residents that the pollution could cause health concerns for the very young, the elderly and people with respiratory illnesses or asthma, but did not pose a threat to healthy members of the general population. Limited outdoor activities has also been advised.
Across the channel in France, Parisian authorities have requested emergency, traffic-limiting measures to reduce the amount of traffic in and around the City of Lights in an attempt to cut down on carbon emissions from vehicles. Mayor of Paris Ann Hidalgo asked French authorities to stop one in every two cars from entering the cosmopolitan capital and implored the population to use public transport.
The toxic cloud is expected to disperse slightly on Friday, as winds are forecast to change direction. The bothersome pollution comes almost exactly a year after the continent's last winter battle with unhealthy air levels in March of 2014.