EPA struggles with air pollution cleanup in Calvert City, Kentucky
EPA struggles with air pollution cleanup in Calvert City, Kentucky Environmental Health News
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Calvert City’s Persistent Toxic Air Pollution Challenges Current Environmental Laws
Despite extensive regulatory efforts and penalties, toxic air pollution continues to persist in Calvert City, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current environmental laws, according to experts.
Lisa Song reports for ProPublica.
In Short:
- Calvert City has been designated a “sacrifice zone” due to high levels of carcinogenic pollutants from local petrochemical plants, despite significant U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) involvement and sanctions.
- Community meetings have revealed residents’ frustration with the slow pace of regulatory responses to ongoing health risks.
- Recent regulatory updates and fines seem insufficient to mitigate the long-standing issue, with significant changes and actual improvements still pending.
Key Quote:
“Those numbers are just appalling. How many sick kids are OK with you?”
— Carol Ziegler, a family nurse practitioner and co-founder of the Climate, Health and Energy Equity Lab at Vanderbilt University
Why This Matters:
Residents living near industrial sites in Calvert City often express concerns about the health impacts of air pollution on themselves and their families. High levels of air pollutants have been linked to respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases, and other health issues, prompting community activists to push for stricter enforcement of pollution controls.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Indicator: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution in Calvert City |
| 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 and municipal and other waste management | Indicator: Levels of carcinogenic pollutants in Calvert City |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator: Progress in implementing policies and strategies to address air pollution in Calvert City |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
The issues highlighted in the article are related to the health impacts of toxic air pollution in Calvert City, the slow pace of regulatory responses, and the need for stricter enforcement of pollution controls. These issues are connected to the goals of promoting good health and well-being (SDG 3), creating sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), and taking climate action (SDG 13).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination
- 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
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are reducing deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air pollution (Target 3.9), reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities with a focus on air quality (Target 11.6), and integrating climate change measures into policies and planning (Target 13.2).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
- Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution in Calvert City (Indicator for Target 3.9)
- Levels of carcinogenic pollutants in Calvert City (Indicator for Target 11.6)
- Progress in implementing policies and strategies to address air pollution in Calvert City (Indicator for Target 13.2)
The article mentions the high levels of carcinogenic pollutants and the health impacts of air pollution in Calvert City, indicating the need to track the number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution. Additionally, the slow pace of regulatory responses suggests the importance of monitoring the levels of carcinogenic pollutants and assessing progress in implementing policies and strategies to address air pollution.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution in Calvert City |
| 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 and municipal and other waste management | Levels of carcinogenic pollutants in Calvert City |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Progress in implementing policies and strategies to address air pollution in Calvert City |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: ehn.org
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