Pregnant women and children living near the fire-ravaged cathedral have been urged to take blood tests for lead contamination. The warning comes after a child living in central Paris was found to have excessive levels of the substance in his blood. French officials say that the blaze, which destroyed the cathedral last month, released toxic matter.
This is a significantly starker warning than the one issued shortly after the April 15 fire, in which police claimed the lead exposure threat was “extremely localised”.
People living near the 800-year-old cathedral were told: “It is recommended that residents in the immediate vicinity of Notre Dame proceed to clean their home or premises and their furniture and other items, using wet wipes to eliminate any dust.”
Environmental group Robin des Bois
