There is a large amount of lead around Notre-Dame after the fire

Paris - After the fire at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris in mid-April, a large amount of lead remained in the immediate vicinity of the cathedral. The heavy metal was used to create parts of the roof structure and the spire above the nave, which the fire completely destroyed. However, according to the Paris prefecture, lead dust had no impact on air quality in the area of the monument, AFP reported today.

"Analysis of samples taken after the fire shows that there is no risk of lead absorption from breathing the air outside the cathedral, but it confirms the presence of lead dust in its immediate vicinity," said the Paris prefecture and the regional health authority.

The concentration of lead in the air on the Île de la Cité, on which the Notre-Dame Cathedral stands, is according to authorities lower than what French standards allow. In contrast, soil samples from the area around the cathedral contain ten to twenty grams of lead per kilogram, which is 32 to 65 times more than what is allowed by the standards recommended by French health authorities.

The immediate vicinity of the cathedral, including the square in front of it and some adjacent streets, has been closed to the public since the fire. According to authorities, lead dust has settled on buildings near the monument, which are primarily offices.

The authorities have previously recommended thorough cleaning of all surfaces to the owners of these buildings. They suggested that a damp cloth should be prioritized over a vacuum cleaner to prevent dust from being stirred up. Authorities also recommended that people living near the cathedral keep their nails short and avoid biting them due to lead dust. Pregnant women and children should regularly wash their hands. These two groups are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning, AFP indicated.

Environmental organizations warn that during the repairs of the monument damaged by the fire from April 15 to 16, the entire interior of the building will need to be decontaminated due to lead.