Air Quality Challenges in the Pays de la Loire and Brittany Regions
The Pays de la Loire and Brittany regions, represented within FIMEA Ouest, share an Atlantic and agricultural character: an oceanic climate that promotes the dispersion of pollutants and limits pollution spikes, but intense agricultural activity that impacts air quality. Around urban areas such as Nantes and Rennes, pollution follows a seasonal pattern: fine particulate matter in the winter, linked in particular to wood heating, and ozone in the summer.
In 2024, levels of the main regulated pollutants declined in both urban and rural areas. But the West stands out above all for its agricultural challenges: Brittany is the leading French region in terms of agricultural ammonia emissions—a precursor gas for fine particulate matter—and pesticide levels have been monitored there since 2005, as in the Pays de la Loire region. Brittany also monitors a pollutant unique to the region: hydrogen sulfide emitted in bays with green algae blooms.
Fine particulate matter pollution continues to be responsible for several thousand premature deaths across the region (approximately 2,530 per year in the Pays de la Loire region alone). In response to these challenges—measuring, diagnosing, treating, and raising awareness—FIMEA Ouest members provide practical expertise in metrology, pollution control, technical assessment, and training.
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FIMEA companies in the Pays-de-la-Loire and Brittany regions
Metrology
Remediation
Expertise
Projects and Initiatives Undertaken
Publication of a brochure titled “13 Concrete Actions to Improve Air Quality” to mark National Air Quality Day 2020
Priority Area 1: Raise awareness and provide training to local stakeholders on the health and economic issues related to air quality
| Identify education/training/awareness-raising needs Organize appropriate public events (conferences, training courses, café-échanges, round tables, etc.) linked to air quality issues (indoor and outdoor). |
| Identify education/training/awareness-raising needs Organize appropriate public events (conferences, training courses, café-échanges, round tables, etc.) linked to air quality issues (indoor and outdoor). |
| Communicate air quality news (events, best practices, regulations, etc.) to our partners. |
Priority Area 2: Developing an air quality sector in Brittany and the Pays-de-la-Loire region
| Identify education/training/awareness-raising needs Organize appropriate public events (conferences, training courses, café-échanges, round tables, etc.) linked to air quality issues (indoor and outdoor). |
| Identify education/training/awareness-raising needs Organize appropriate public events (conferences, training courses, café-échanges, round tables, etc.) linked to air quality issues (indoor and outdoor). |
| Communicate air quality news (events, best practices, regulations, etc.) to our partners. |
Priority Area 3: Promoting local initiatives at the national and international levels
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Inform national bodies about local characteristics and initiatives in the Bretagne / Pays de la Loire region |
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Report local needs in terms of training, skills, regulations, etc. |
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Communicate air quality news (events, best practices, regulations, etc.) to our partners. |
Contact
Pascal ERMEL
pascal@atmotrack.fr
