Air Quality Alert Report: Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky

Executive Summary

An air quality alert has been issued for the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region for Wednesday, September 17. The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency reports that ground-level ozone concentrations may reach or surpass unhealthy levels. This report details the alert’s context, its relevance to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and recommended actions for mitigation.

Public Health and Environmental Impact in the Context of SDGs

The issuance of an air quality alert directly relates to several key Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental quality, public health, and sustainable urban living.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The primary purpose of the alert is to protect public health. The Air Quality Index (AQI), developed by the Environmental Protection Agency, serves as a critical tool for communicating health risks associated with air pollution. Unhealthy levels of pollutants like ground-level ozone can cause significant respiratory issues, directly impacting the well-being of the community, particularly vulnerable groups.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities & SDG 13: Climate Action

Monitoring and reporting on air quality are essential components of creating sustainable and resilient cities. The AQI measures four key pollutants that affect urban environments:

• Ground-level ozone
• Particulate matter
• Carbon monoxide
• Sulfur dioxide

In the Cincinnati region, elevated ozone levels, especially during warmer months, are a primary concern. Addressing the sources of ozone formation is a crucial step in climate action, as it is a potent greenhouse gas, and in making urban areas safer and more sustainable for all residents.

Recommended Actions for Mitigation and SDG Contribution

The Southwest Ohio Air Quality Agency recommends several actions the public can take to help reduce ozone formation. These individual and collective efforts contribute directly to achieving multiple SDGs.

Promoting Sustainable Transportation and Infrastructure (SDG 11)

1. Utilize sustainable transport options such as buses, carpools, bicycles, or walking instead of personal vehicles.
2. Combine errands into a single trip or eliminate unnecessary vehicle use.
3. Eliminate non-essential vehicle idling.
4. Ensure vehicles are properly maintained, with correctly inflated tires and regular oil changes.

Advancing Responsible Consumption and Clean Energy (SDG 7 & SDG 12)

1. Refuel vehicles after 6 p.m. to reduce daytime emissions, avoid topping off the tank, and tighten the gas cap securely.
2. Avoid the use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment on alert days.
3. Refrain from using oil-based paints and stains, which can release volatile organic compounds.
4. Conserve electricity to reduce demand on power plants, a significant source of pollutants.

Enhancing Climate Action and Protecting Ecosystems (SDG 13 & SDG 15)

1. Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings, which releases particulate matter and other pollutants.
2. If burning wood is necessary, use only clean, seasoned wood in efficient fireplaces or wood stoves.
3. Avoid using fire pits or fireplaces for non-essential purposes on Air Quality Alert days.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

   The article on the air quality alert in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on public health, urban environmental quality, and sustainable practices.

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The core of the article is a public health warning. It discusses an “air quality alert” because ozone levels “may approach or exceed unhealthy standards,” directly linking air pollution to its “possible health impacts.”
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The issue is specifically framed within an urban context, affecting “Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.” The article deals with managing urban air pollution, a key aspect of creating sustainable and safe cities.
   • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: One of the key recommendations to mitigate air pollution is to “Conserve electricity.” This connects the issue of air quality to energy consumption and efficiency.
   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The article provides a list of actions for citizens to reduce ozone formation, which are directly related to consumption patterns. These include reducing vehicle use (“Take the bus, carpool, bike or walk”), managing fuel consumption (“Refuel your vehicle after 6 p.m.”), and avoiding the use of certain products (“gasoline-powered lawn equipment,” “oil-based paints and stains”).

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

   Based on the issues and recommendations in the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • 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 entire purpose of the “air quality alert” is to inform the public about unhealthy air to prevent the health problems mentioned in this target. The article notes the alert is for when pollutant levels “exceed unhealthy standards.”
   • 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 article is entirely focused on managing air quality in the “Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky” region. The monitoring of pollutants like ozone and the issuance of alerts are direct actions related to this target.
   • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. The recommendation to “Conserve electricity” is a direct call to action that supports this target, as reducing energy consumption is a primary way to improve efficiency.
   • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The recommendations to “Combine trips or eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips,” avoid idling vehicles, and not burn yard trimmings are all measures aimed at reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and preventing pollution, aligning with the efficient use of resources.

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 explicitly and implicitly mentions several indicators used to measure air quality and progress towards the related targets.

   • Air Quality Index (AQI): The article explicitly states that the Environmental Protection Agency created the “air quality index, or AQI, to monitor and report on air quality each day.” This is a direct indicator used to measure air pollution levels.
   • Concentration of specific pollutants: The AQI is based on monitoring “four significant pollutants, ground-level ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide.” The article specifies that “levels of ozone” are the primary concern in this case. The concentration of these pollutants is a key quantitative indicator for targets 3.9 and 11.6.
   • Categorical Air Quality Levels: The article mentions the AQI’s “color-coded index” with “levels ranging from good, moderate, unhealthy, very unhealthy and hazardous.” These categories serve as qualitative indicators that translate complex data into understandable public health warnings, directly measuring the conditions relevant to Target 3.9.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.9: Substantially reduce illnesses from air pollution.	Air Quality Index (AQI) levels categorized as “unhealthy.” Concentration of ground-level ozone.
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, paying special attention to air quality.	Daily monitoring of air quality in the Greater Cincinnati urban area. Measured levels of pollutants (ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide).
   SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.3: Double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency.	Adoption of electricity conservation measures by the public (implied by the recommendation to “Conserve electricity”).
   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.	Changes in transportation habits (e.g., carpooling, biking instead of driving). Reduction in unnecessary vehicle trips and vehicle idling.

Source: cincinnati.com