Notre Dame work resumes with new anti-contamination measures in place

This time the workers were wearing disposable underwear and other protective gear after a delay prompted by fears of lead contamination.

Activity resumed under strict lead-protection measures for the stonemasons, clean-up workers and scientists working on the site, according to the Culture Ministry.

They include throwaway full-body clothing, obligatory showers and a new decontamination zone to ensure that they do not track pollution outside the site.

The workers are clearing out hazardous debris and studying and consolidating the medieval monument – a crucial first step to prepare the fragile cathedral for a long, multimillion-pound reconstruction effort.

But even this first step is taking longer than expected because of lead worries.

Hundreds of tons of lead melted in the April 15 fire that decimated Notre Dame’s roof and toppled its spire, spewing toxic dust into the air.

Some environmental activists and residents say French authorities underplayed the lead poisoning risks in the aftermath of the blaze.

Under pressure from labour inspectors, the Paris regional administration ordered the consolidation work to be halted in July pending new worker-protection measures.

Now multiple lead-prevention operations are under way in the area around Notre Dame. Experts are carrying out a deep clean of neighbourhood schools and are spraying chemical agents and vacuuming surrounding streets to remove any residual lead.

The regional health authority said last month that…