MORPC releases report on air quality – Delaware Gazette

MORPC Releases Report on Air Quality

MORPC releases report on air quality

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) has released its annual Air Quality Report summarizing air quality data from November 2022 to October 2023, kicking off this year’s ozone monitoring season.

Ozone Monitoring Season and Air Quality Index

While monitoring for PM2.5 is year-round, ozone monitoring season occurs March 1 to Oct. 31 because it forms from a chemical reaction between emissions and sunlight.

The report shows that air quality progress continues, while challenges remain. MORPC uses the national Air Quality Index (AQI) to communicate about air quality and the associated health effects. For the 2022-23 season, most days in central Ohio were in the Good Air Quality Index (AQI) category, but AQI levels were worse when compared to the 2021-22 season due to ozone development, wildfire smoke, weather conditions, and other factors.

Primary Pollutant and Air Quality Alerts

Of the 11 total Air Quality Alerts issued in the 2022-23 season, PM2.5, or fine particle pollution made up of solid or liquid droplets that can get into the lungs and bloodstream, was the primary pollutant on nine occasions due to long-range transport of wildfire smoke. This resulted in central Ohio’s first Unhealthy PM2.5 AQI day since Aug. 14, 2003, meaning pollution levels were high enough for members of the general public to experience health effects, with potentially more severe effects for sensitive groups.

Long-Term Air Quality Trends

“As a whole, air quality in central Ohio continues to show positive trends over the long term, despite inevitable external factors like last summer’s wildfires in Canada,” said MORPC Associate Director of Sustainability Brandi Whetstone. Over the past 30 years, the number of high ozone days (above 70 ppb for the daily maximum eight-hour average) has declined across Ohio and neighboring states, with the most notable decrease in high ozone days occurring after 2012. This decline has been driven mostly by emissions reductions.

Actions and Programs for Air Quality Improvement

MORPC is part of a network of agencies across the country that issues daily air quality forecasts and notifies the public when ground-level ozone and particle pollution levels are forecasted to be unhealthy for sensitive groups (USG) or higher on the AQI through Air Quality Alerts. On days with an Air Quality Alert, children, older adults, and those with lung illnesses, such as asthma, can experience symptoms like shortness of breath and wheezing.

“Air quality is critical to the daily quality of life of our residents,” said MORPC’s Air Quality and Sustainability Program Coordinator Mauro Diaz-Hernandez. “By signing up for Air Quality Alerts, residents can take action to protect their health as temperatures and pollution levels rise. Sensitive groups are more likely to suffer an increase in the number of severity of symptoms during an Air Quality Alert and are urged to limit prolonged outdoor exertion to decrease the potential for health problems.”

Residents can also act by utilizing programs, such as MORPC’s Gohio Commute program – that encourage ridesharing, driving electric vehicles, riding transit, biking, and walking – which help in keeping harmful pollutants out of the air.

Accessing the Report and Additional Information

To view the full report and to learn more information about ozone and particulate matter, visit MORPC’s Air Quality Program page. To sign up for alerts, visit www.morpc.org/airquality.

Submitted by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. 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: Air Quality Index (AQI) levels and the number of Air Quality Alerts issued.

2. 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: Air Quality Index (AQI) levels and the number of Air Quality Alerts issued.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Indicator: Air Quality Index (AQI) levels and the number of Air Quality Alerts issued.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

The article addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to air quality and environmental impact. The identified SDGs are:

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

Based on the content of the article, the following 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.
• 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 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

The article mentions the Air Quality Index (AQI) as a measure of air quality and health effects. The AQI levels and the number of Air Quality Alerts issued can serve as indicators to measure progress towards the identified targets.

Therefore, the indicators mentioned or implied in the article are:

• Air Quality Index (AQI) levels
• Number of Air Quality Alerts issued

These indicators can be used to track the progress made in reducing air pollution, improving air quality, and protecting public health.

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: delgazette.com

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