New report finds air quality in Springfield, surrounding areas is getting worse
New report finds air quality in Springfield, surrounding areas is getting worse The State Journal-Register
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Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Air Quality in Sangamon County
Air Quality Deterioration in Sangamon County
Taking in a deep breath of fresh spring air may have long-term drawbacks according to the American Lung Association, whose 25th annual report found Sangamon County has had continuously worsening air quality since 2020.
The American Lung Association’s annual “State of the Air” report grades exposure to unhealthy levels of particle pollution over a three-year period in different forms. Particulate matter air pollution, also known as PM2.5, comes from wildfires, wood-burning stoves, coal-fired power plants, diesel engines and other sources.
Springfield, Jacksonville, Lincoln
The Springfield metro area ranked 124th worst in the nation for short-term pollution, following short spikes of pollution which were recorded through a three-year span. The ranking was based on the counties worst average number of unhealthy days.
In the current report, 0.3 days per year were recorded in Sangamon County. In the 24th annual report, Sangamon County scored higher with 0 days per year recorded as unhealthy. This shifted Springfield metropolitan from 106 worst in the country to the 99 worst.
Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
“In the 25 years that the American Lung Association has been doing our ‘State of the Air’ report, we have seen incredible improvement in the nation’s air quality,” Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association Kristina Hamilton said in a press release. “Unfortunately, more than 131 million people still live in places with unhealthy levels of air pollution, and central and southern Illinois still have work to do.”
Short-term particle pollution, which is when pollution spikes in the air for hours to days, grew in communities and hit the highest number in 14 years at 65 million affected nationwide, according to the report.
Methodology for Metrics
The 25th report covered air quality data taken in central Illinois from 2020 to 2022 to reflect the new annual particle pollution standard the EPA standardized in 2023 and finalized in February. The standard of particle pollution according to the EPA is 9 micrograms per cubic meter of particle or soot pollution which leads to health side-effects such as heart attacks and premature death.
If an air rating has higher than 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter of particular soot, then it fails.
The three measures of ranking for air quality in the State of the Air report are metropolitan high ozone days, 24-hour worst particle pollution of the year and worth particle pollution throughout the year.
Of those metrics, Springfield ranked:
- 79 worst out of 228 for high ozone days.
- 124 worst out of 223 for single span 24-hour particle pollution.
- 99 worst out of 204 for annual particle pollution.
The EPA new air pollution rules are set to address climate change.
Like the particle pollution standards, a rule to place stricter limits on tailpipe emissions from new cars and a rule to clean up truck pollution have been implemented this year to lower emissions.
Claire Grant writes about business, growth and development and other news topics for the State Journal-Register. She can be reached at CLGrant@gannett.com; and on X (Formerly known as Twitter): @Claire_Granted
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: Number of unhealthy days recorded in Sangamon County |
| 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: Ranking of Springfield metro area for short-term pollution |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator: Implementation of new air pollution rules to address climate change |
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 continuously worsening air quality in Sangamon County, which can have long-term health drawbacks. This connects to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article mentions the ranking of the Springfield metro area for short-term pollution, indicating the need to address air quality in cities. This aligns with SDG 11, which focuses on creating sustainable cities and communities.
SDG 13: Climate Action
The article mentions the implementation of new air pollution rules to address climate change. This relates to SDG 13, which aims to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
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 continuously worsening air quality in Sangamon County highlights the need to reduce illnesses and deaths caused by air pollution, aligning with Target 3.9 of SDG 3.
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 ranking of the Springfield metro area for short-term pollution indicates the need to pay special attention to air quality in cities, addressing Target 11.6 of SDG 11.
Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
The implementation of new air pollution rules to address climate change reflects the integration of climate change measures into policies, strategies, and planning, aligning with Target 13.2 of SDG 13.
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 number of unhealthy days recorded in Sangamon County as an indicator of air pollution and its impact on health. This can be used to measure progress towards Target 3.9 of SDG 3.
The ranking of the Springfield metro area for short-term pollution can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 11.6 of SDG 11.
The implementation of new air pollution rules to address climate change can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 13.2 of SDG 13.
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: Number of unhealthy days recorded in Sangamon County |
| 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: Ranking of Springfield metro area for short-term pollution |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | Indicator: Implementation of new air pollution rules to address climate change |
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: sj-r.com
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