Imperial Beach is getting air-monitoring stations that can measure harmful sewer gases
Imperial Beach is getting air-monitoring stations that can measure harmful sewer gases The San Diego Union-Tribune
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The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District to Monitor Hydrogen Sulfide Levels in Imperial Beach
The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District will soon begin monitoring concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in Imperial Beach, a community in South County that is affected by odors from Tijuana sewage spills. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, and Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Installation of Air-Monitoring Station
The Imperial Beach City Council has approved a five-year agreement that permits the district to install and operate an air-monitoring station on the roof of the city’s fire department. The station, equipped with wireless sensors, will measure levels of various compounds in the air that contribute to poor air quality, including hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
Focus on Hydrogen Sulfide
The district will pay close attention to levels of hydrogen sulfide, a major chemical component of sewer gas that has been reported to cause headaches, eye irritation, and other adverse effects among South County residents. By collecting data on hydrogen sulfide concentrations, the district aims to provide evidence of the impact on the community’s health.
“It’ll really make a difference because it’s something we’ve been experiencing for a long time and I’m really glad that we’ll be able to show with hard data that this is impacting our community,” said Mayor Paloma Aguirre.
Sharing Data for Research and Awareness
The data collected by the district will be shared with the county Public Health Department, state and federal agencies, and interested health researchers. This collaboration will contribute to a better understanding of the long-term effects of exposure to poor air quality on people’s health.
Addressing Wastewater Treatment Infrastructure
The ongoing sewage crisis in the Tijuana River Valley is primarily caused by outdated and insufficient wastewater treatment infrastructure on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. While the district does not have the authority to address violations of air pollution laws in the valley, it aims to raise awareness and exert political pressure on the federal government to take action. The district also collaborates with Mexico through the San Diego-Tijuana Air Quality Task Force to address air quality issues.
Expansion of Monitoring Stations
In response to residents’ concerns about odors, the district secured a $100,000 federal grant to deploy monitoring stations. One station has already been installed at a San Diego fire station in San Ysidro, revealing that hydrogen sulfide levels sometimes exceed state and federal air quality standards. Another station will be installed near the Imperial Beach Pier, with additional stations planned for the San Ysidro-based treatment plant, the San Ysidro Athletic Area Larsen Field, and the communities of Nestor and Otay Mesa West.
This initiative by the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District contributes to the achievement of the SDGs by addressing environmental health issues and promoting sustainable communities.
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: Monitoring levels of hydrogen sulfide and other compounds in the air that contribute to poor air quality. |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and increasing recycling and safe reuse globally. | Indicator: Monitoring the impact of Tijuana sewage spills on air quality and public health. |
| 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: Monitoring levels of hydrogen sulfide and other compounds in the air to assess the impact of sewage spills on air quality in South County communities. |
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 impact of hydrogen sulfide emissions from Tijuana sewage spills on the health of South County residents. This is connected to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
The article mentions the outdated and insufficient wastewater treatment infrastructure on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, resulting in sewage spills. This is connected to SDG 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article highlights the need to address air quality issues in South County communities due to sewage spills. This is connected to SDG 11, which aims to create sustainable cities and communities.
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.
The article emphasizes the need to monitor levels of hydrogen sulfide and other compounds in the air to assess their impact on public health.
Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
The article mentions the outdated and insufficient wastewater treatment infrastructure that leads to sewage spills, highlighting the need for improvements in water quality.
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 focuses on the impact of sewage spills on air quality in South County communities, emphasizing the need to address this issue for sustainable cities and communities.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article mentions the installation of air-monitoring stations with wireless sensors to quantify levels of hydrogen sulfide and other compounds in the air. This can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards the targets mentioned.
The data collected from these monitoring stations will be shared with relevant agencies and health researchers to better understand the long-term effects of exposure to these compounds on public health.
4. 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: Monitoring levels of hydrogen sulfide and other compounds in the air that contribute to poor air quality. |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater, and increasing recycling and safe reuse globally. | Indicator: Monitoring the impact of Tijuana sewage spills on air quality and public health. |
| 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: Monitoring levels of hydrogen sulfide and other compounds in the air to assess the impact of sewage spills on air quality in South County communities. |
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Source: sandiegouniontribune.com
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