Analysis
Europe
As Paris watched flames consume its beloved Notre-Dame Cathedral five years ago, no one could have imagined just how toxic the smoke spewing from the disaster could be. The rising plume contained several billion particles of lead from the collapsing roof and spire. Now that the cathedral has been identically rebuilt, a group of associations is trying to break the silence on the danger posed by this metal.
Issued on: 05/12/2024 - 07:51
By: Cyrielle CABOT
Notre-Dame Cathedral a few days before its reopening, November 27, 2024. © AFP
Notre-Dame de Paris is preparing to open its doors to the public on December 8 after five years of rebuilding. From its iconic spire to its impressive roof, the cathedral is once again visible on the Paris skyline. But behind the scenes of this grand reopening lies a darker truth.
“It was the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers of lead,” said Mathé Toullier, who spearheads Notre-Dame Lead (collectif "plomb Notre-Dame" in French), a group of associations. “But we missed our chance.” Founded just after the fire that ravaged the cathedral in 2019, the group was created to sound the alarm on the dangers associated with the metal.
Touiller is also president of an organisation that supports victims of lead poisoning and their families. When she saw the huge yellow cloud rising from Notre-Dame five years ago, she quickly became concerned. “I immediately knew what was happening. Lead dust was spreading all across the capital,” she recalled.
As the flames engulfed the cathedral, a whopping 400 tonnes of lead from the roof and spire went up in smoke, according to French authorities. The cloud then continued its journey well beyond the city of light and travelled 16 kilometres east of Paris, according to the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20241205-how-lead-exposure-became-notre-dame-fire-toxic-legacy
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