MADRID, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Madrid City Hall on Thursday activated the first level of its anti-pollution protocols after nitrogen dioxide of over 180 micrograms per cubic meter were found for two hours in a row at two monitoring stations here.
The weather forecast of continuing dry and sunny one for at least a week with no rain expected to clear the atmosphere, is a key factor leading the local authorities to the decision.
The first level of the protocol places a speed limit of 70 kilometers an hour on the M30 ring road and on major access roads into the city while the City Hall advises commuters to use public transport wherever possible.
This is the fourth time that the Madrid City Hall has had to put its anti-contamination protocol into effect since September 30, with two episodes in October in which the second level of the protocol was also activated, prohibiting parking inside an ample area of the city center.
The protocol was also activated on October 24. Restrictions were maintained for five days.
