Report on Air Quality and Sustainable Development Goals in the United States

Introduction: Air Quality as a Key Indicator for Sustainable Development

This report analyzes data on elevated levels of atmospheric pollutants across the United States, based on live maps from Friday. The presence and concentration of these pollutants have direct and significant implications for the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Monitoring air quality is fundamental to assessing progress towards several critical goals, including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). The findings underscore the interconnectedness of environmental health, public health, and sustainable industrial and urban development.

Analysis of Key Air Pollutants and SDG Implications

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂)

Nitrogen dioxide is a highly reactive gas primarily generated from fuel combustion. Its prevalence is a direct challenge to multiple SDGs.

• Sources: Emissions from vehicles (cars, trucks, buses), power plants, and off-road machinery. These sources highlight the urgent need to transition towards cleaner energy and transportation systems as outlined in SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Health and SDG Impact: Exposure can lead to respiratory irritation, aggravate conditions like asthma, and contribute to the development of respiratory infections. These health outcomes directly undermine SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
• Affected Areas: As of Friday, high concentrations were observed in major urban centers, including New York, Los Angeles, and Detroit.

Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

Particulate matter consists of microscopic solids or liquid droplets that can be inhaled. PM2.5 particles are especially hazardous due to their small size, which allows them to penetrate deep into the respiratory system.

• Sources: Includes dust, soot, dirt, and smoke from various industrial and natural sources.
• Health and SDG Impact: PM2.5 can enter the lungs and bloodstream, posing severe health risks. This pollution represents a major obstacle to ensuring healthy lives as mandated by SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The presence of PM2.5 also degrades the quality of life in urban areas, conflicting with the aims of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) to create safe and resilient human settlements.
• Affected Areas: Elevated levels were recorded across parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, North and South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New York.

Surface Ozone (O₃)

Surface ozone is a secondary pollutant, formed by chemical reactions between other pollutants in the presence of sunlight. It is a significant component of smog.

• Sources: Formed from precursor pollutants emitted by vehicles and industrial facilities, linking its presence to activities targeted for reform under SDG 7 and SDG 11.
• Health and SDG Impact: Ozone exposure can irritate the respiratory system, cause airway inflammation, and worsen chronic conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. This directly impacts public health targets within SDG 3.
• Affected Areas: The highest concentration was reported in California, specifically east of Barstow.

Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂)

The primary source of atmospheric SO₂ is the industrial combustion of fossil fuels.

• Sources: Power plants, industrial operations such as metal extraction, and high-sulfur fuel combustion in locomotives and ships. These activities are a focus of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and underscore the need for cleaner industrial processes.
• Health and SDG Impact: Short-term exposure can impair respiratory function, especially in children and individuals with asthma. SO₂ also contributes to the formation of fine particulate matter, compounding health risks and further challenging the objectives of SDG 3.
• Affected Areas: The highest levels were observed in a region spanning Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

CO is a toxic gas produced by the incomplete burning of carbon-based fuels.

• Sources: Primarily from vehicle and machinery emissions, highlighting a critical area for intervention under SDG 11’s goal for sustainable transport systems.
• Health and SDG Impact: CO reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of blood, posing a risk to vital organs. For individuals with heart disease, even elevated outdoor levels can be dangerous. This threat to cardiovascular health is a direct concern for SDG 3.
• Affected Areas: Elevated CO levels were noted along the East and West Coasts and throughout the Midwest.

Aerosol and Dust Mass

This category includes a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in the air, from both natural and man-made sources.

• Sources: Dust from roads, farms, construction sites, and mines. These sources relate to land management and industrial practices, which are relevant to SDG 11 and SDG 12.
• Health and SDG Impact: Airborne dust and other aerosols can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat, impacting general well-being and contributing to the health burdens addressed by SDG 3.
• Affected Areas:
  1. Aerosol: Slightly heightened levels were noted in Iowa, North Dakota, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
  2. Dust Mass: Elevated levels were present in parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Kansas.

SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article extensively discusses the negative health impacts of air pollution, which directly aligns with SDG 3. It details how various pollutants affect human health, stating that breathing high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) “can irritate the respiratory system and worsen conditions like asthma.” It also notes that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can “penetrate deep into the lungs or even enter the bloodstream,” and that exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO₂) “can negatively impact the respiratory system and cause difficulty in breathing.” The article emphasizes the risks for vulnerable populations, including “children, the elderly, and people with asthma,” which is a core concern of public health goals.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The article connects air pollution directly to urban areas, which is a key focus of SDG 11. It identifies major cities such as “New York, Los Angeles, and Detroit” as having some of the highest concentrations of NO₂. The discussion of pollution from vehicles, power plants, and industrial operations highlights the environmental challenges faced by cities. The goal of creating sustainable cities includes managing air quality to ensure the health and well-being of urban populations.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• The article identifies the primary sources of several major pollutants as being linked to energy production and consumption. It states that the “main source of NO₂ in the atmosphere is fuel combustion” from vehicles and “power plants.” Similarly, the “primary contributor of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in the atmosphere is the combustion of fossil fuels by power plants and various industrial operations.” This highlights the dependence on non-clean energy sources and implicitly points towards the goals of SDG 7, which promotes a shift to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems to mitigate such pollution.

Specific Targets Under Those SDGs 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.

• This target is directly addressed by the article’s central theme. The entire text is dedicated to describing the presence of hazardous air pollutants and their direct link to illnesses. It mentions that short-term exposure to NO₂ can lead to “emergency room visits,” while long-term exposure can “contribute to asthma development.” The discussion of pollutants like PM2.5, ozone, SO₂, and CO all center on their potential to cause respiratory conditions, heart problems, and other illnesses, aligning perfectly with the objective 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’s focus on monitoring and reporting air pollution levels in major U.S. cities like New York and Los Angeles directly relates to this target. By highlighting the “elevated levels of air pollution” and identifying specific pollutants like NO₂, PM2.5, and CO in these urban centers, the article underscores the challenge of managing the environmental impact of cities, with a specific emphasis on air quality as mandated by Target 11.6.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article

Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted).

• The article explicitly and repeatedly refers to the measurement of specific pollutants, which serve as direct indicators for air quality. The live maps from Windy.com provide data on these pollutants, making them measurable indicators of progress (or lack thereof). The specific indicators mentioned are:
  1. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂) concentration: The article discusses its sources and high concentrations in cities.
  2. Particles (PM2.5) concentration: The article dedicates a section to PM2.5, calling it “particularly dangerous” and noting its heightened levels in several states. This is a direct match for the official UN indicator.
  3. Surface Ozone concentration: The article explains its formation and reports on its concentration levels.
  4. Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂) concentration: The article identifies its sources and reports on areas with the highest levels.
  5. Carbon Monoxide (CO) concentration: The article discusses its sources, dangers, and high levels along the coasts and in the Midwest.
  6. Aerosol and Dust Mass levels: These are also mentioned as measured pollutants, contributing to the overall picture of air quality.

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newsweek.com