Oakland schools will monitor air quality in classrooms and on campus
Oakland schools will monitor air quality in classrooms and on campus The Oaklandside
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Air Pollution and its Impact on Children’s Health in Oakland
Introduction
Air pollution can have a myriad of negative impacts on health. It can cause asthma and other respiratory illnesses like bronchitis and emphysema. Tiny particles of material suspended in the air can irritate the throat and lungs and weaken the immune system. For children, these illnesses can affect their ability to show up to school and learn.
In Oakland, tens of thousands of children suffer from asthma, a chronic condition in which a person’s airways constrict and they have difficulty breathing.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This initiative aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Federal Grant for Air Pollution Monitoring
In an effort to better understand where Oakland children are being exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution, the federal Environmental Protection Agency recently announced a $1 million grant for the California Department of Public Health to partner with the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) in placing air sensors on campuses throughout OUSD to monitor particulate matter in school environments.
Curriculum Development and Community Support
Along with the air sensors, CDPH will also work to develop a curriculum for OUSD high schoolers about indoor air quality and climate change. The EPA is also awarding $500,000 to the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project to support efforts to reduce emissions and improve health in West Oakland neighborhoods.
Impact on Student Attendance and Performance
In Oakland, nearly 14% of children had asthma in 2020, according to a state survey, and asthma is a leading cause of absenteeism from schools. In OUSD, chronic absenteeism rates have skyrocketed in the past few years. Monitoring air quality, holding industries accountable for the pollution they emit, and building more green spaces on school campuses are some of the efforts being advocated for.
Monitoring Air Quality and Taking Action
The air sensors, which will be placed in all 78 OUSD schools, will monitor particulate matter, humidity, and temperature. Specific neighborhoods in Oakland, especially in East and West Oakland, have been identified as areas with disproportionately poorer air quality because of their proximity to factories and scrap yards, the port, and diesel trucks confined to Interstate 880 in Oakland’s flatlands.
State and local leaders involved in the air pollution monitoring effort say it could help schools make changes like increasing how often air is circulated in an indoor space, or improving ventilation. For schools that are near freeways, recess could be scheduled during lower-traffic times.
Conclusion
This initiative to monitor air pollution in Oakland schools is a crucial step towards ensuring the health and well-being of children. By addressing indoor air quality and climate change, and implementing measures to reduce emissions, Oakland is working towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and creating a healthier and more sustainable community.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
- SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.
- SDG 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.
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of children suffering from asthma in Oakland (indicator for SDG 3.9)
- Development of a curriculum for high schoolers about indoor air quality and climate change (indicator for SDG 4.7)
- Installation of air sensors in all 78 OUSD schools to monitor particulate matter, humidity, and temperature (indicator for SDG 11.6)
- Efforts to reduce emissions and improve health in West Oakland neighborhoods (indicator for SDG 11.6)
- Identification of specific neighborhoods in Oakland with disproportionately poorer air quality (indicator for SDG 11.6)
- Integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning (indicator for SDG 13.2)
- Conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems (indicator for SDG 15.1)
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Number of children suffering from asthma in Oakland |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles. | Development of a curriculum for high schoolers about indoor air quality and climate change |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | SDG 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. | Installation of air sensors in all 78 OUSD schools to monitor particulate matter, humidity, and temperature Efforts to reduce emissions and improve health in West Oakland neighborhoods Identification of specific neighborhoods in Oakland with disproportionately poorer air quality |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Integration of climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | Conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems |
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: oaklandside.org
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