Report on Air Quality Monitoring in Mon Valley Following Industrial Incident

1.0 Executive Summary

This report details the air quality monitoring activities conducted in the Mon Valley region following a significant incident at the U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works plant. A collaborative effort between the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Carnegie Mellon University was initiated to assess environmental impacts and safeguard public health. These actions directly support several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

2.0 Incident Background and Response

2.1 Mobilization of Monitoring Resources

In response to the incident at the U.S. Steel facility, a Mobile Air Unit was deployed to the Mon Valley. This initiative, a partnership between the DEP and Carnegie Mellon University, underscores a commitment to SDG 17 by leveraging cross-sector collaboration for environmental protection. The unit’s deployment aims to provide transparent and accurate data, contributing to the well-being of the community as outlined in SDG 3 and the creation of safer, more resilient communities under SDG 11.

2.2 Monitoring Objectives

The primary objective of the deployment was to conduct an in-depth analysis of the ambient air quality. Key activities included:

1. Measuring concentrations of specific pollutants, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, which pose risks to human health.
2. Collecting data from multiple locations to create a comprehensive overview of air quality across the affected area.
3. Providing data to inform public health advisories and regulatory actions, aligning with the principles of strong and accountable institutions (SDG 16).

3.0 Methodology and Preliminary Findings

3.1 Technological Approach

The Mobile Air Unit utilizes advanced technology to perform its analysis. The process involves:

• Generating a beam of infrared light directed at a mirror positioned approximately 50 yards away.
• The light beam reflects back to a detector within the unit.
• The detector analyzes the returned light, identifying the molecules present in the air based on light absorption at specific frequencies.

This innovative approach supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by applying modern technology to solve critical environmental challenges.

3.2 Initial Assessment

According to statements from the Allegheny County Health Department, initial measurements indicated that air quality remained within expected parameters for the area. David Good of the Health Department noted, “We have seen normal air concentrations in relation to what we typically measure for in this area, perhaps even less so.” While these preliminary findings are reassuring, the DEP will conduct further analysis to confirm the results and prepare a comprehensive report.

4.0 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The response to this industrial incident highlights a strong alignment with global sustainability objectives.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By proactively monitoring for harmful pollutants, the initiative directly addresses the goal of reducing illnesses and deaths from hazardous chemicals and air pollution.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The effort to monitor and manage the environmental impact of industrial activity is crucial for making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: This incident and the subsequent monitoring emphasize the need for environmentally sound management of industrial processes and the importance of corporate accountability in achieving sustainable production patterns.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The collaboration between a state environmental agency (DEP) and a leading academic institution (Carnegie Mellon University) is a prime example of the multi-stakeholder partnerships required to achieve the SDGs.

5.0 Future Outlook and Recommendations

5.1 Advancing Monitoring Paradigms

The use of mobile monitoring represents a potential paradigm shift in environmental oversight. As stated by David Good, such efforts “could help us understand some less-understood areas in Allegheny County in particular.” Expanding these capabilities would strengthen institutional capacity (SDG 16) to protect communities and build a more sustainable infrastructure (SDG 9).

5.2 Next Steps

The collected data will be sent to Harrisburg for comprehensive analysis. This will involve comparing new data with historical records to produce a detailed report. The final report will guide future actions and reinforce the commitment to public health and environmental stewardship, ensuring continued progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals within the region.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article discusses the monitoring of air quality following an explosion at a steel plant. This is directly linked to protecting human health from the adverse effects of air pollution and hazardous chemicals released during industrial accidents. The concern over air quality implies a concern for the respiratory and overall health of the residents in the Mon Valley.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The incident occurred at an industrial facility (U.S. Steel Clairton Coke Works), highlighting the risks associated with industrial infrastructure. The response, involving a “Mobile Air Unit” provided by the Department of Environmental Protection and Carnegie Mellon University, showcases the use of innovative technology for environmental monitoring and making industrial areas safer.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The focus of the article is on ensuring the safety and environmental quality of a specific community, the Mon Valley. The air quality monitoring is an action taken to reduce the adverse environmental impact on the community’s inhabitants following an industrial disaster.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The explosion and subsequent release of potential pollutants relate to the need for safer and more environmentally sound production patterns in heavy industry. The monitoring of “volatile organic compounds” is a direct measure related to managing chemical releases from industrial processes.

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

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’s entire premise is the deployment of an air monitoring unit to assess the levels of hazardous chemicals, specifically “volatile organic compounds, so benzene would be one of them,” following an industrial explosion. This action is a direct effort to understand and mitigate the potential health risks from air pollution for the local population.
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 response described in the article, where officials are “monitoring the air quality” in the Mon Valley, is a clear example of paying special attention to air quality to protect a community. The effort aims to manage the environmental impact of the industrial incident on the surrounding area.
3. Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
   • The monitoring for specific chemicals like benzene is a part of managing the release of hazardous substances into the air. The data collection and analysis mentioned (“The DEP plans to send this data back to Harrisburg for further analysis”) are crucial steps in understanding and controlling the environmental impact of chemical releases from industrial sites.

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:

• Concentration of specific pollutants: The article explicitly states that the monitoring unit looks for “volatile organic compounds, so benzene would be one of them.” The measured concentration of these specific pollutants in the air is a direct indicator. This relates to the official SDG indicator 11.6.2 (Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted)), although it focuses on different pollutants.
• Air quality relative to a baseline: The statement from the Allegheny County Health Department that “We have seen normal air concentrations in relation to what we typically measure for in this area, perhaps even less so” implies the use of a baseline or standard for comparison. This comparison against “normal” levels serves as a practical indicator to assess the immediate environmental impact and the return to safety.
• Deployment of advanced monitoring technology: The use of the “Mobile Air Unit” itself can be seen as an indicator of a government’s capacity and commitment to monitoring environmental quality. The article describes its technology: “The air monitor generates a beam of infrared light… A detector analyzes how much light has come back, and the frequencies help to identify which molecules are present.” This represents an investment in technology to protect public health and the environment.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: yahoo.com