Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Ministry for the Environment, meant that the Ministry was starting to focus less on
health, and more on the polluting industries with the introduction of the DRIRE in
the field of monitor air quality.
It was during the time of the rapid increase in urban pollution (linked to the
increase in car pollution) that industrial taxes had to be paid to the French
government. These taxes would be paid to the State and would then be used to
finance the monitoring of air quality in urban areas.
Urban pollution management progressively became part of city politics as time
went on. With this in mind more and more city dwellers became interested in
information that was published, and which informed them of pollution levels in their
own cities. This proves that the culture of secrecy, which was so often linked to
periods of industrial development, can no longer be applied to today's society.
Today's society is made up of people who use urban transport and includes people
who experts in this field wanted to target in order to make them aware of the
phenomenon of urban pollution. However, a certain period of time was needed in
order to convince car manufacturers and car users of the inadequacy of the cars
adaption to the town.
6.2.2.2.
The monitoring system generalized by LAURE
The network of pollution management associations which monitor air quality
(AASQA)
5
, has experienced great changes, particularly in relation to their structure
and to the way in which they carry out their business. Measuring pollution levels
and producing information on the recorded values are subject to the decree that was
passed in 1998 and to the law that was passed on March 17, 2003, which relates to
public awareness and the way in which air quality is monitored. Unlike hygiene
management, monitoring air pollution is expensive for local communities, and
producing clear information on pollution levels is obligatory. Publishing the results
from pollution analysis is one of the obligations that must be carried out by the
measurement networks.
These associations, as in 1901 law, function as a quadripartite organization, in
other words it is divided into four key areas. Their board of administrators is divided
into four different boards with each board representing the State, the local
communities, the industrialists, and the associations themselves
6
, respectively. In
theory, the first three boards which have been mentioned provide equal amounts of
funding to this structure. According to the polluter-pays principle, it is the
industrialists who pay part of the eco-tax on atmospheric pollution. In 1999 this
license became known as the General Tax on Polluting Activity (TGAP
7
). The
industrialists are able to pay part of this tax directly to the network of pollution
management associations located closest to the industries in question. The aim of
5 Registered association for monitoring air quality.
6 Environmental associations, consumer and qualified persons associations.
7 General Tax on Polluting Activities.
