On March 16, 2020, to combat the first wave of COVID-19, a strict lockdown was implemented in France, creating an unprecedented environmental situation. This unprecedented measure led to a massive slowdown in economic activity and public movement, with health, economic, societal, and environmental consequences.

As part of its comprehensive monitoring of the epidemic, Santé publique France conducted a retrospective analysis of mortality to assess the consequences of the reductions in ambient air pollution observed during this first lockdown. The results, published today, highlight that the temporary drops in pollution levels in the spring of 2020 were associated with significant health benefits, with approximately 2,300 deaths averted due to reduced exposure of the French population to ambient particulate matter. This estimate confirms that proactive measures to reduce particulate matter emissions in the air result in a significant reduction in the impact of air pollution on health, and on mortality in particular.

Furthermore, Santé publique France has updated its estimate of the total burden of ambient air pollution on the health of the French population for the period 2016 to 2019. It concludes that mortality linked to ambient air pollution remains a significant risk in France, with 40,000 deaths attributable each year to fine particulate matter (PM2.5). This research once again highlights the importance of continuing efforts to reduce air pollution by addressing all sources of pollution.

A reduction in ambient air pollution and associated mortality observed during the first lockdown

The spring 2020 lockdown, aimed at limiting the spread of the virus across the country, plunged our society into an entirely unprecedented situation, which had consequences for health, economic and social activities, as well as the environment^1,2. As part of its Air and Health monitoring program, Santé publique France assessed the short- and long-term impacts on mortality in metropolitan France of the reduced exposure to air pollution linked to the lockdown.

The results of the quantitative health impact assessment (EQIS) show that the benefits of reduced exposure to ambient air pollution during the first lockdown can be estimated at approximately:

• 2,300 deaths averted due to reduced exposure to particulate matter, which has multiple sources and constitutes background pollution,

• 1,200 deaths averted due to reduced exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), primarily linked to road traffic.

These benefits are primarily due to avoided long-term effects (a reduction in pollution’s contribution to the development of fatal diseases) and, to a lesser extent, to avoided short-term effects (exacerbation of pre-existing conditions).

These results show that proactive action to reduce air pollutant emissions leads to a significant reduction in the impact of air pollution on health, and on mortality in particular.

Santé publique France therefore calls for making the most of the lessons learned from this lockdown period to identify the most effective solutions for reducing air pollution levels in order to sustainably reduce health impacts.

40,000 deaths per year and nearly 8 months of lost life expectancy linked to exposure to fine particulate matter

To update the estimates published in 2016, which covered the 2007–2008 period, Santé publique France has reassessed the burden of air pollution on annual mortality in metropolitan France for the 2016–2019 period.

This reassessment indicates that each year, nearly 40,000 deaths are attributable to exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) among people aged 30 and older. Thus, for people aged 30 and older, exposure to ambient air pollution results in an average loss of nearly 8 months of life expectancy due to PM2.5.

Ambient air pollution thus remains a health risk factor in France, although the 2016–2019 EQIS suggests a downward trend in mortality linked to ambient air pollution (7% of total mortality in the French population attributable to exposure to PM2.5 versus 9% during the 2007–2008 period).

Results supporting sustained action

The current estimate of mortality linked to ambient air pollution reaffirms the public health stakes surrounding this issue and encourages sustained efforts to reduce pollution from all sources.

Certain lessons learned from the analysis of the spring 2020 lockdown have already been or can be capitalized on. In terms of public policy, reduced traffic in urban areas and lower industrial emissions are effective measures that have already been implemented or are currently being rolled out. In terms of behavioral changes, teleworking and shifts in travel patterns are likely to become permanent features of French society.

More generally, other avenues for action exist, including improving wood-heating practices (using high-efficiency appliances, choosing high-quality fuels, lighting from the top, etc.); developing good agricultural practices to reduce ammonia emissions, for example; and the thermal retrofitting of housing.