Report on Air Quality Alert in Maine and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued an extended Air Quality Alert for Northern Maine, effective into Wednesday. The alert stems from significant particle pollution originating from wildfire smoke in Canada. This environmental event and the subsequent public health response directly intersect with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, climate action, and sustainable communities.

Impact on Public Health and Alignment with SDG 3

The air quality degradation presents a direct challenge to Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being. The DEP’s actions are a critical measure to protect citizens and mitigate health risks associated with poor air quality.

Forecasted Air Quality Levels:

• Northern Maine: “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” due to particle pollution.
• Other Maine Regions: “Moderate” particle pollution levels.
• Coastal Areas: “Moderate” ozone levels.
• Acadia National Park (High Elevations): “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” due to ozone.

Vulnerable Populations and Health Recommendations:

In line with SDG 3’s objective to ensure healthy lives for all, special attention is given to sensitive groups who may experience adverse effects such as reduced lung function, irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath. These groups include:

• Children
• The elderly
• Individuals with respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma, bronchitis)
• Individuals with heart disease

The DEP has issued the following protective measures to safeguard public health:

1. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity.
2. Close windows and utilize fans or air conditioners to circulate indoor air.
3. Ensure individuals with asthma have immediate access to quick-relief medications and their prescribed action plan.

Relevance to Broader Sustainable Development Goals

This air quality event highlights the interconnected nature of environmental challenges and underscores the importance of a holistic approach to sustainable development.

• SDG 13: Climate Action: The wildfires causing the pollution are increasingly linked to climate change. This event serves as a tangible local impact of a global climate crisis, reinforcing the urgency for comprehensive climate action.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The DEP’s monitoring, forecasting, and public alert system are essential functions for building resilient and safe communities. Providing timely information allows residents to adapt to environmental hazards, a key target of SDG 11.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The source of the air pollution—extensive wildfires—is a direct threat to terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity, and the sustainable management of forests, which are core components of SDG 15.

Forecast and Outlook

The Maine DEP anticipates that the densest smoke plume will begin to dissipate by Thursday. However, air quality is expected to remain at “Moderate” particle pollution levels. The ongoing monitoring and reporting efforts are vital for continued public safety and align with the principles of proactive environmental management central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Air Quality Alert in Maine connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to its focus on public health, environmental quality, and the impacts of natural disasters.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire piece revolves around the health risks posed by poor air quality from wildfire smoke. It explicitly mentions the health effects on vulnerable populations, such as “children, the elderly, and individuals suffering from respiratory or heart diseases,” and lists symptoms like “reduced lung function and irritation.” The provision of health advice and warnings directly supports the goal of ensuring healthy lives.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article addresses the environmental quality within human settlements. By issuing an Air Quality Alert for “Northern Maine,” the “entire coast,” and “inland regions,” it deals with making communities safe and resilient. The focus on air pollution, specifically “particle pollution” and “ozone,” is a key aspect of managing the environmental impact of populated areas.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  While not explicitly mentioned, the root cause of the air pollution—”wildfire smoke from Canada”—is strongly linked to climate-related hazards. Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change. The article describes a direct consequence of such a hazard and the response measures, which relates to strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related disasters.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

   The article directly addresses this target by focusing on illnesses resulting from air pollution. It details the health impacts of “elevated levels of particle pollution” and “ozone,” which can cause “reduced lung function,” “irritation,” “coughing,” and “shortness of breath,” particularly in sensitive groups. The alert itself is a measure to prevent such illnesses.

2. Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

   The Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) action of monitoring and forecasting air quality for various regions of the state is a direct implementation of this target. The article’s entire focus is on “paying special attention to air quality” by reporting on levels of particle pollution and ozone and their expected changes.

3. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.

   The issuance of an “Air Quality Alert” by the Maine DEP is a clear example of an early warning system in action. The article serves to disseminate this warning and provide risk reduction advice, such as “Avoiding strenuous outdoor activity” and “Closing windows,” to manage a national health risk stemming from a transboundary pollution event.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress.

• Indicator for Target 11.6 (Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities)

  The article explicitly refers to the measurement of air pollutants. The terms “particle pollution” and “ozone” are direct references to the substances measured. The qualitative levels reported—”Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups,” “Moderate,” and “Good”—are based on quantitative measurements of these pollutants, which are the basis for this indicator. The article is a report on the daily levels of this particulate matter.

• Indicator for Target 3.9 (Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution)

  While the article does not provide mortality statistics, it directly discusses the morbidity (illness) associated with ambient air pollution. It highlights the risks for “individuals suffering from respiratory or heart diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, or COPD,” which are conditions that contribute to the mortality rate measured by this indicator. The alert system is designed to reduce exposure and, consequently, the health impacts, including potential deaths.

• Indicator for Target 3.d (e.g., Existence and implementation of a national public health emergency preparedness and response plan)

  The existence and function of the Maine DEP’s air quality forecasting and alert system is an implied indicator of capacity for early warning and risk management. The article itself, by publicizing the alert and providing health information from the DEP, demonstrates that a system is in place to “follow the Air Quality Forecast” and inform the public, thereby indicating progress towards this target.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wabi.tv