Report on the South King County Indoor Air Quality Improvement Initiative

Executive Summary

A targeted initiative, funded by the Washington State Climate Commitment Act, was executed to improve indoor air quality and climate resilience in South King County, an area identified as an overburdened community. The Washington Department of Ecology, in partnership with King County and 19 community organizations, successfully implemented the project within a compressed six-month timeframe. This report details the project’s objectives, outcomes, and significant contributions to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11).

Project Background and Implementation

The Washington Legislature allocated $6 million from the Climate Commitment Act for an indoor air quality improvement project in South King County, with funds available from January 1, 2025. This region was prioritized due to a history of industrial development and its designation as one of 16 overburdened communities highly impacted by air pollution. The Department of Ecology spearheaded the project, navigating significant logistical challenges associated with a rapid, large-scale distribution effort. The collaboration between state and county government, public health entities, and local community organizations was critical to the project’s success, demonstrating a powerful model for achieving environmental and public health objectives.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The initiative’s design and outcomes directly support the advancement of multiple SDGs, addressing interconnected challenges of health, equity, and environmental sustainability.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The project’s primary focus was to mitigate the health impacts of poor air quality, a direct contribution to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

• Distribution of 5,956 HEPA air cleaners and 10,000 replacement filters directly reduces indoor air pollutants, including particulate matter from wildfire smoke.
• Anecdotal evidence from recipients indicates immediate health benefits, such as reduced allergy symptoms and improved respiratory comfort, leading to a decreased reliance on medication.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

By concentrating resources in South King County, the project actively works to reduce inequalities and address environmental injustice.

• The initiative specifically targets an overburdened community, ensuring that populations disproportionately affected by historical pollution and climate change receive direct benefits.
• This focus advances environmental equity by providing critical health and climate resilience resources to residents historically excluded from such investments.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The project enhances urban resilience and sustainability, making communities safer and more inclusive.

• Improvements to 77 homes, including weatherization and heat pump installation, make housing more resilient to climate impacts like extreme heat and wildfire smoke events.
• The planting of 2,500 trees and shrubs restores 8 acres of urban forest, which helps to cool urban heat islands, filter air pollutants, and manage stormwater.

SDG 13: Climate Action

The initiative is a direct form of climate action, strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.

• The project directly addresses the increasing frequency of wildfire smoke, a significant impact of climate change in the region.
• Improving building energy efficiency through weatherization and heat pumps contributes to climate change mitigation efforts.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The project’s success was contingent on a multi-stakeholder partnership, exemplifying the collaborative approach needed to achieve the SDGs.

• Effective collaboration between the Department of Ecology, Public Health – Seattle & King County, the King County Executive Climate Office, and 19 community-based organizations was essential for the rapid planning, warehousing, and distribution of resources.

Key Outcomes and Deliverables

The project achieved significant quantitative and qualitative outcomes within its limited timeframe, delivering tangible benefits to thousands of residents.

1. Air Filtration: 5,956 HEPA air cleaners and 10,000 replacement filters were distributed to households.
2. Urban Forest Restoration: 2,500 trees and shrubs were planted, restoring 8 acres of urban canopy.
3. Home Resilience: 77 homes received critical upgrades, including weatherization, heat pump installation, and improved ventilation.
4. Public Health Improvement: The initiative has led to reported improvements in respiratory health and well-being among residents.

Conclusion and Future Directives

The South King County Indoor Air Quality Improvement Initiative serves as a successful model for rapidly deploying resources to address environmental health disparities and build climate resilience. While the provision of air purifiers and home upgrades offers immediate mitigation, project leaders emphasize that it is not a comprehensive solution. Continued advocacy and education are identified as key to securing ongoing support and funding. Future efforts must focus on systemic changes to address the root causes of air pollution while continuing to support the health and resilience of Washington’s most impacted communities, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article focuses on improving indoor air quality to mitigate health issues caused by pollution, directly linking to public health. It mentions reduced allergy symptoms and the overall goal of providing clean, breathable air.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The project specifically targets South King County, identified as one of 16 “overburdened communities highly impacted by air pollution.” This addresses historical and environmental inequities, aiming to provide resources to a community disproportionately affected by industrial development.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The initiative aims to make urban living environments safer and more resilient. This is achieved by reducing the adverse environmental impact of the city through improved air quality, weatherizing homes, and restoring urban green spaces (forests).

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The project is a direct response to the impacts of climate change, such as “hotter summers” and “more wildfire smoke.” It is funded by the Climate Commitment Act and aims to make buildings “more resistant to the impacts of climate change.”

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The effort includes “forest restoration,” specifically the planting of 2,500 trees and shrubs to restore 8 acres of urban forest. This action contributes to restoring terrestrial ecosystems within an urban environment.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights a multi-stakeholder partnership involving state agencies (Ecology), county government (King County Public Health, King County Executive Climate Office), and “19 community organizations” to implement the project successfully.

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

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
     
     Explanation: The project’s core mission is to reduce the health impact of air pollution from manufacturing facilities and wildfire smoke by providing HEPA air cleaners. The article provides an anecdote of a senior citizen whose “allergy symptoms have reduced so much I hardly even take my medicine,” directly illustrating a reduction in illness from air pollution.

2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all…
     
     Explanation: The project targets an “overburdened community” to advance “environmental equity,” directly addressing the historical exclusion and disproportionate pollution burden faced by its residents. By providing resources and working with community-based organizations, it empowers the community to mitigate environmental health risks.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality…
     
     Explanation: The entire initiative is focused on improving air quality in South King County, a specific urban area. The distribution of nearly 6,000 air purifiers is a direct action to reduce the adverse environmental impact on residents.
   • Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…
     
     Explanation: The project includes the restoration of 8 acres of urban forest, which will “help to keep people cool and clean the air.” This action creates and improves green spaces within the community.

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
     
     Explanation: The article states that buildings were “made more resistant to the impacts of climate change” and the project helps residents cope with “more wildfire smoke,” a direct climate-related hazard. The weatherization of homes and installation of heat pumps are concrete measures to strengthen resilience.

5. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
     
     Explanation: The project contributes to this target through its “forest restoration” component, which involved planting 2,500 trees and shrubs to restore a degraded urban forest area.

6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…
     
     Explanation: The project is described as a successful collaboration “with help from our partners at King County and 19 community organizations.” This partnership between government agencies and civil society was crucial for the rapid and effective distribution of resources.

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

1. For Target 3.9 (Reduce illness from pollution):

   • Indicator: Number of HEPA air cleaners distributed.
     
     Mentioned in article: “5,956 HEPA air cleaners given out.”
   • Indicator: Number of replacement air filters distributed.
     
     Mentioned in article: “10,000 replacement air filters given out.”
   • Indicator: Reported reduction in respiratory symptoms.
     
     Implied in article: “My allergy symptoms have reduced so much I hardly even take my medicine.”

2. For Target 11.6 (Reduce adverse environmental impact of cities):

   • Indicator: Number of homes improved for better ventilation and resilience.
     
     Mentioned in article: “77 homes improved by weatherization, heat pump installation, and ventilation work.”

3. For Targets 11.7 & 15.2 (Green spaces and forest restoration):

   • Indicator: Area of urban forest restored.
     
     Mentioned in article: “…restoring 8 acres of urban forest.”
   • Indicator: Number of trees and shrubs planted.
     
     Mentioned in article: “2,500 trees and shrubs planted.”

4. For Target 17.17 (Partnerships):

   • Indicator: Number of collaborating organizations.
     
     Mentioned in article: The partnership involved Ecology, King County partners, and “19 community-based organizations.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ecology.wa.gov