Indoor vs. outdoor air pollution: Why indoor air quality is worse – Mann+Hummel

Report on Indoor Air Quality and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Analysis of Indoor Particulate Matter Sources

An assessment of indoor air quality reveals two primary categories for the sources of fine dust pollution, each with significant implications for public health and sustainable development.

1. External Pollutant Infiltration: Particulate matter originating from outdoor environments penetrates indoor spaces. This directly challenges the objectives of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by highlighting how urban and industrial pollution impacts living conditions. Sources include:
   • Vehicular traffic emissions
   • Industrial and manufacturing output
   • Natural elements such as dust and pollen
2. Internal Pollutant Generation: Fine dust is produced directly within indoor environments through various activities. This undermines SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and points to challenges related to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Key sources are:
   • Tobacco smoking
   • Cooking processes
   • Combustion of candles and incense
   • Use of open fireplaces and wood-burning stoves for heating

Correlation with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The concentration of pollutants indoors, exacerbated by poor ventilation, poses a direct threat to human health, particularly respiratory wellness. The lack of air circulation indoors intensifies exposure, working against the goal of ensuring healthy lives for all.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The reliance on biomass, such as wood, for heating contributes significantly to indoor air pollution. Data indicates that wood heating can account for up to 20 percent of indoor fine dust in winter, underscoring the urgent need to transition to cleaner energy sources for domestic use.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The infiltration of outdoor pollutants from traffic and industry into homes demonstrates a critical link between urban planning, industrial regulation, and the quality of indoor living environments. Achieving sustainable cities requires mitigating these external sources to ensure safe and healthy indoor spaces.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

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

   The article on indoor fine dust pollution connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by highlighting issues of air quality, health, and sources of pollution related to energy and urban living.

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

     The core topic of the article is indoor air pollution from fine dust, which is a significant environmental health risk. Exposure to fine dust can lead to respiratory illnesses and other health problems, directly connecting the article’s content to the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

   • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

     The article explicitly identifies “heating with wood” as a major source of indoor pollution, stating it can account for up to “20 percent of indoor fine dust pollution” in winter. This points directly to the challenge of relying on polluting, non-clean energy sources for household needs like heating, which is a key concern of SDG 7.

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

     The article mentions that outdoor fine dust, “caused by traffic, industry, or natural elements,” enters indoor spaces. The mention of traffic and industry as sources of pollution is a central issue for urban environments, linking the article to the goal of making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, particularly concerning urban air quality.

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

   Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • 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 focus is on fine dust, a form of air pollution known to cause illness. By discussing its sources (traffic, industry, smoking, wood heating) and its concentration indoors, the article directly addresses the substance of this target.

   • Target 11.6

     “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality…” The article identifies “traffic” and “industry” as primary sources of outdoor fine dust that infiltrates homes. These are key components of a city’s environmental impact, making urban air quality a central theme and connecting directly to this target.

   • Target 7.1

     “By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.” The article’s specific mention of “heating with wood” as a significant contributor to indoor pollution highlights the negative consequences of using non-modern, polluting energy sources. This implicitly points to the need for cleaner alternatives for heating, which is a component of modern energy services under this target.

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

   The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it provides data and describes conditions that can serve as or imply specific indicators for measuring progress.

   • Implied Indicator for Targets 3.9 and 11.6: Concentration of Indoor Fine Dust

     The article’s subject is “indoor fine dust.” Although it doesn’t provide a specific measurement (e.g., in µg/m³), the level of this pollutant is the primary metric for assessing the problem. Therefore, the concentration of indoor fine dust is an implied indicator for tracking air pollution and its impact on health and urban environments.

   • Specific Indicator for Target 7.1: Contribution of Polluting Fuels to Indoor Air Pollution

     The article provides a precise data point: “In winter, wood heating can account for up to 20 percent of indoor fine dust pollution.” This figure can be used directly as an indicator to measure reliance on polluting fuels. Progress towards Target 7.1 could be measured by a reduction in the percentage of indoor fine dust pollution attributable to wood heating.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Identified or Implied in the Article)
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.9: Substantially reduce deaths and illnesses from air pollution and contamination.	Concentration of indoor fine dust.
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, paying special attention to air quality.	Level of fine dust originating from urban sources like traffic and industry.
   SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	Target 7.1: Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.	Percentage of indoor fine dust pollution attributable to wood heating (stated as up to 20%).

Source: mann-hummel.com