Report on Air Quality Attainment in Allegheny County and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Regulatory Milestones in Air Quality

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has formally approved the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s request to redesignate the Liberty-Clairton area of Allegheny County as an “attainment area.” This designation confirms that the region now meets the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) set in 1997 and 2006. This achievement reflects a significant step in local environmental stewardship.

• Affected Municipalities: City of Clairton, Liberty Borough, Lincoln Borough, Port Vue Borough, and Glassport Borough.
• Standard Met: Compliance with 1997 and 2006 PM2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
• Regulatory Basis: The determination is made according to requirements outlined in the Clean Air Act.

Advancing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The improvement in air quality directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), specifically Target 3.9, which aims to substantially reduce deaths and illnesses from air pollution. The reduction of PM2.5, a pollutant known to cause significant health issues, was achieved by controlling its primary and secondary sources.

1. Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): Emissions were reduced, mitigating a key precursor to PM2.5 formation.
2. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2): Strategies to lower emissions have contributed to cleaner air.
3. Ammonia and Volatile Organic Compounds: Control of these pollutants has also been crucial in achieving the new attainment status.

While local environmental organizations like the Group Against Smog and Pollution acknowledge this progress as an important milestone, they emphasize that continued effort is necessary to protect public health fully, stating, “Clean air is essential for life.”

Progress Towards SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

This development marks progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). By improving air quality, Allegheny County is advancing on Target 11.6, which calls for reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities. However, stakeholders note that achieving the 1997 and 2006 standards is only a step, and considerable work remains to meet more current air quality goals, ensuring the long-term sustainability and resilience of these communities.

Future Commitments and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The collaborative effort between federal, state, and local agencies exemplifies Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The EPA’s approval of the county’s Maintenance Plan, submitted by the Allegheny County Health Department, provides a framework for continued compliance and future improvements.

• The Maintenance Plan ensures the county will continue to meet the 1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5 standards for decades.
• The Allegheny County Health Department has also submitted a request for county-wide attainment of the 2012 PM2.5 standard, signaling an ongoing commitment.
• Officials, including Geoff Rabinowitz of the Allegheny County Health Department, have stated that “there is still more hard work to do,” underscoring the long-term nature of this partnership for a sustainable environment.

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

The article on air quality improvements in Allegheny County directly addresses two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This goal is relevant because the article focuses on air pollution, which has significant impacts on human health. The mention of “fine particulate pollution, known as PM2.5” and the statement “Clean air is essential for life” directly link the issue of air quality to the well-being of the population in the affected areas. Reducing air pollution is a key factor in preventing respiratory illnesses and other health problems.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This goal is connected as the article discusses air quality within a specific urban and suburban area—Allegheny County, including the boroughs of Liberty, Lincoln, Port Vue, Glassport, and the City of Clairton. The efforts by the EPA and the Allegheny County Health Department to monitor and improve air quality are actions aimed at making these communities more sustainable and healthier places to live.

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

Based on the article’s focus, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. 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 entire article is centered on the effort to reduce “fine particulate pollution (PM2.5)” and its precursor pollutants like “sulfur dioxide …, nitrogen dioxide …, ammonia … and volatile organic compounds”. These are hazardous substances that cause illness. The EPA’s designation of the Liberty-Clairton area as an “attainment area” signifies a reduction in this type of harmful air pollution, directly contributing to this target.

2. 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 article’s subject is the management and improvement of air quality within a specific set of municipalities in Allegheny County. The approval of the “Maintenance Plan” and the efforts to meet the “1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5 standards” are direct actions to reduce the adverse environmental impact of these urban communities by focusing specifically on air quality, as outlined in this target.

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

Yes, the article mentions and implies several specific indicators used to measure progress:

• Concentration of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

  This is the primary indicator mentioned throughout the article. The text explicitly refers to “fine particulate pollution, known as PM2.5” and the efforts to meet the “1997, 2006, and 2012 PM2.5 standards.” This corresponds to SDG Indicator 11.6.2: “Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted).”

• National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

  The article uses the attainment of these standards as the benchmark for success. It states that for an area to reach attainment, the EPA must determine if it “has met the requirements for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.” Achieving the status of a “designated attainment area” is a clear measure of progress.

• Concentration of Precursor Pollutants

  The article identifies specific pollutants that are measured and reduced to control PM2.5 levels. It states that the EPA’s decision reflects “successful implementation of strategies to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide …, nitrogen dioxide …, ammonia … and volatile organic compounds.” The levels of these specific chemicals serve as direct indicators of pollution control efforts.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: triblive.com