Paris: Paris authorities have been accused of legal complaints because they failed to protect the health of the people who lived near the Notre-Dame Cathedral for leading pollution from a destructive fire two years ago.
Local family along with the Paris branch of the CGT trade union and Henri Pezatat’s anti-pollution association, has submitted complaints that accuse the city and endangered public health authority.
“Apart from the scale of fire and knowledge of the risk of pollution and contamination …
There are no special precautions taken by the authorities involved more than three months after the fire,” according to a complaint copy seen by AFP.
400 tons of lead from the roof of Gothic works or dissolved as a microparticle above the capital of France during Blaze on April 15, 2019.
“Children (in schools and schools), neighbors and workers are clearly exposed to the risk of leading” pollution, complaints add.
“These facts number crime endanger the lives of others.” The square in front of the cathedral, which was being rebuilt, closed again to the public in May this year after the test reveals high concentration of poisonous lead particles.
A few months after the fire, the city authorities ordered deep schools in the area, while children and pregnant women were urged to do blood tests.
The complaint said the city was run by the Mayor of Socialist and President Hopeful Anne Hidalgo, holding information from school director and failed to act immediately.
It also targets the Police Department, the Ministry of Culture and Regional Health Authority.
While the Notre-Dame tower collapsed and many roofs were destroyed, the efforts of firefighters ensured a large medieval building survived fire.
But the risk of lead delaying the work of cleaning debris and launching a restoration effort for landmarks, which President Emmanuel Macron wants to be open to visitors in time for 2024 Olympic matches in Paris.
Investigators have not determined the cause of the flames, but they have said accidents, may be caused by short circuit or buttocks of cigarettes, remain the most likely explanation.