Air Pollution Episode in AuvergneA widespread episode of fine particulate matter pollution affected Auvergne on the morning of Thursday, March 19. The alert threshold was exceeded in the departments of Allier and Puy-de-Dôme. Stable weather conditions, combined with local activity (road traffic, residential heating, etc.) and long-distance dust transport, were the primary causes of this phenomenon. On Saturday, March 21, the alert levels triggered in Puy-de-Dôme and Allier were maintained due to the persistence of the pollution. On the morning of Sunday, March 22, concentrations of fine particulate matter dropped due to effective mixing of polluted air masses at high altitudes and in the lowlands. Alert procedures in the departments of Allier and Puy-de-Dôme were therefore lifted, as was the information system in Haute-Loire. (source: Atmo Auvergne).Analysis of indicators (overall activity, asthma cases) across the total population and various age groups (<5 years, 5–14 years, 15–64 years, >65 years) does not indicate an immediate increase (on the same day) in emergency room visits or calls to SOS Médecins associations in the region following the pollution episode.In interpreting the information provided, it should be noted that the absence of a significant immediate change in health indicators should not be interpreted as meaning that ambient air pollution has no impact on health.

World Tuberculosis Day on March 24World Tuberculosis Day is observed annually on March 24, marking Robert Koch’s 1882 discovery of the bacillus that causes the disease.