France, April 9 -- Air pollution in the Paris region has been cut in half over the past two decades, according to a new study published by Airparif, an independent group that tracks air quality.

Between 2005 and 2024, levels of the two most harmful air pollutants - fine particles and nitrogen dioxide - fell by 55 percent and 50 percent respectively, the group said in a report published Wednesday.

The drop is the result of a mix of European, national and local policies, Airparif said, aimed at reducing emissions from road traffic, heating and industry.

Antoine Trouche, an engineer at Airparif, told France Inter radio that several concrete steps had made a difference.

These included "the Euro emissions standards, taxation of industrial ...