In 2019 , catastrophe struck the city of Paris as the world - notable cathedral atNotre - Dame determine firefollowing an accident , transform this historical site into a bloody inferno . A Modern discipline published in the journalGeoHealthhas assessed the radioactive dust from the hell and found that the 460 tons of steer tile on the roof of the cathedral trigger a 20 - fold increase in airborne lead assiduity in neighboring Paris at a distance of 50 kilometers ( 31 miles ) from the fire . Their determination highlight fear about public wellness and the fleet communication of relevant threats in the Wake Island of such tragedy .
The fire took place on April 15 , 2019 , at around 6 pm Paris metre , beginning beneath the roof of the cathedral . By the meter it was extinguished , the spire had collapsed and most of the ceiling , which was covered in lead tiles , had been destroyed . The firing throw in this lead into the aura where it was carried by smoke and current of air across neighboring Paris .
To investigate the reach of this mobilized lead , the study took surface soil samples from locations in all focusing within a 1 - kilometre ( 0.6 international nautical mile ) r of the cathedral . Their findings give away rarefied levels of steer in locations windward of the glare , indicate that the dirt had keep some of the roof ’s secrete lead . The uncovering raise inquiry as to the danger amaze by the concentrations of lead that were airborne shortly after the flak . news leak of lead-in are of significant grandness as exposure to even very small amounts of environmental lead can negatively impact the cognitive growing of children .
Their estimate put the amount of deposited leash within the 1 - klick ( 0.6 - mile ) spoke observe the fire at around 1,000 kilo ( one metrical ton ) , much high than an early governance written report which said that just 150 kg had been deposit .
A stemma survey fall out the chance event reported few children with a significantly raised wind result , but the subject area authors highlight that a delay in testing and opting for volunteers could imply these finding are inaccurate . They advise that swifter and more far-flung environmental testing carried out straight off after the blaze would have given a much in force indication of the scale of the problem and informed near decisions on how to best protect Paris ’ house physician .
[ H / T : Massive Science ]
