Protection of underground railway workers from air pollution at their workplace

16.4.2014

Question for written answer E-005041-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Michèle Rivasi (Verts/ALE) , Karima Delli (Verts/ALE)

In 2006, the French public health authority (Conseil supérieur d’hygiène publique de France — CSGPF) expressed concern[1] at the degree and nature of pollution in underground railway systems caused by rolling stock and braking emissions, train frequency and the relative inefficiency of ventilation and air conditioning plant.

The CSGPF noted that particle concentrations in underground railway systems are substantially higher than in other forms of transport, between two and ten times greater than those recorded by urban background pollution measuring stations, with the result that underground railway workers are particularly exposed to the harmful effects thereof.

In the context of its general air quality policy review, what measures does the Commission intend to take to protect the thousands of underground railway workers affected and how is this being combined with measures taken by it in the field of safety and health at work?

• [1] http://www.sante.gouv.fr/dossiers/cshpf/a_mv_270906_airtransport.pdf

OJ C 405, 14/11/2014