The SNCF said on Friday it was implementing the health directives “with the greatest rigor” following the publication of data from a labor inspectorate report that suggested “travelling groups”.

According to this report, commissioned by the SUD union, CO2 levels, an indicator of renewables and air quality, reached 1,380 parts per million (ppm) on 12 May at the Lyon-Montpellier TGV, with a peak of more than 4,000. . The arrival of many travelers in Valencia.

This is far beyond, notes Mediapart, the 800 ppm limit recommended by the Higher Council of Public Health (HCSP) in open spaces to the public.

The rail operator, for its part, underlines that the HCSP’s recommendations do not pertain to rail transport, where regulations set the level at 5,000 ppm “under all operating conditions”.

And, still defends the SNCF, “TGV equipment is designed to maintain CO2 levels between 1,000 and 1,500 ppm”, with a constant supply of outside air “and per hour and per Passengers equivalent to 20 m3 of fresh air”.

In addition, the operator says, “the recycled air undergoes continuous mechanical, hygrometric and thermal treatments which make it possible to reduce the rate of viral particles spread by aerosolization”.

The SNCF “enforces with the greatest rigor all the instructions and regulations of the health authorities with regard to ventilation or filtration of air on board trains, as it imposes the obligation to wear masks,” he said. – He insured.

Mediapart, for its part, notes the fact that TGVs, unlike airplanes, are not equipped with high performance filters (HEPA).

Without these, “TGVs are contaminants,” says Professor Bruno Andreotti of the Ecole Normale Superior (ENS), an expert in the physics of virus spread and ventilation, as quoted by online media.

Transport Minister Jean-Baptiste Jebbari wanted to be reassured. “The data we have for over a year and a half shows that public transport is not (…) a priority place for promotion”, he indicated on CNEWS.

“This is a topic that we have taken very seriously, we are currently studying with the French Atomic Energy Commission, which has very good modeling capabilities, the idea is to always make progress when necessary. Let’s get things done during these investigations Learn.” Although added.