Federal officials will conduct ‘unprecedented’ air quality research campaign this summer

Federal Officials to Conduct Nationwide Air Quality Monitoring Campaign

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Federal officials will conduct a nationwide air quality monitoring campaign this summer to discern how sources of air pollution have changed in recent decades.

National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA scientists, along with researchers from 21 universities across three countries, will coordinate a wide-spanning apparatus of state-of-the-art instruments to better understand why some forms of pollution have persisted despite reductions in tailpipe and smokestack emissions.

The effort will include multiple major metropolitan areas, including New York City, and eventually be used to improve pollution forecasts and inform decision makers about the most effective ways to slash the presence of pollutants like ozone and particulate matter.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
2. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
3. Goal 13: Climate Action

“This is an unprecedented scientific investigation — in scope, scale and sophistication — of an ongoing public health threat that kills people every year,” said NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad in a release. “No one agency or university could do anything like this alone.”

Both particle matter, known as PM2.5, and high ozone levels are associated with serious health impacts, including premature death, asthma attacks and cardiovascular harm. A growing body of research has found PM2.5 disproportionately affects minority and low-income populations in the United States.

The presence of those pollutants has been decreasing in New York City in recent years but is still the cause of thousands of annual deaths and billions in health costs. Nationally, around 200 counties fail to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s 8-hour ozone standard established nearly a decade ago, and more than 60 fail to stay below the threshold for particulate matter.

Research Objectives

• Investigate sources of air pollution
• Understand the persistence of certain pollutants
• Improve pollution forecasts
• Inform decision makers

While fossil fuel emissions were previously the primary source of the compounds responsible for ground-level ozone and particulate pollution, there is a belief a growing proportion of the current air quality issues could be due to products like paint and pesticides. The new research may also investigate the effect of the emerging threat posed by wildfires made more likely by human-induced climate change.

“In order to make progress on reducing air pollution that negatively affects millions of Americans, we need to have a better understanding of the current sources of pollutants and what happens to these pollutants once they are in the atmosphere,” said Carsten Warneke, a NOAA Climate Sciences Laboratory (CSL) scientist and one of the researchers on the Atmospheric Emissions and Reactions Observed from Megacities to Marine Areas project.

Research Methods

• Utilize specialized instruments aboard a NASA flying laboratory
• Rooftop measurements taken by Yale University, Aerodyne Research Inc., and other NOAA-funded collaborators
• Use of research planes and vehicles for air and surface measurements
• Air pollution censors carried in backpacks in disadvantaged neighborhoods

Several projects will occur simultaneously — ranging from one that will utilize 30 specialized instruments aboard a NASA flying laboratory moving over New York City, Chicago, Toronto, and Los Angeles to another involving rooftop measurements taken by Yale University, Aerodyne Research Inc., and other NOAA-funded collaborators.

Meanwhile, NOAA will use a research plane to understand the atmospheric dynamics that move pollutants down the East Coast. A concurrent evaluation will use a University of Maryland aircraft and an NOAA-outfitted

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

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

• SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
• SDG 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.
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

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

• Indicator for SDG 3.9: Number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution.
• Indicator for SDG 11.6: Air quality index in major metropolitan areas.
• Indicator for SDG 13.2: Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from sources of air pollution.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Based on the article, the issues highlighted are connected to SDGs 3, 11, and 13. SDG 3 focuses on good health and well-being, which is relevant to the discussion of air pollution’s impact on health. SDG 11 addresses sustainable cities and communities, particularly the need to pay attention to air quality in urban areas. SDG 13 relates to climate action, as air pollution is influenced by greenhouse gas emissions and human-induced climate change.

The specific targets identified based on the article’s content are SDG 3.9, SDG 11.6, and SDG 13.2. SDG 3.9 aims to reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air pollution. SDG 11.6 focuses on reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities, including air quality. SDG 13.2 emphasizes integrating climate change measures into policies and planning.

The article mentions or implies indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. For SDG 3.9, the indicator is the number of deaths and illnesses attributed to air pollution. The air quality index in major metropolitan areas can serve as an indicator for SDG 11.6. Lastly, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from sources of air pollution can be an indicator for SDG 13.2.

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: silive.com

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