Pima County issues air pollution advisory for Thursday

Air Pollution Advisory in Tucson Metro Area

Air pollution in the Tucson metro area, including moderate concentrations of ground-level ozone, prompted an advisory Thursday from Pima County that some residents should avoid intense physical outdoor activity.

Residents who are “especially sensitive” should limit how much they exert themselves outside between noon and 6 p.m., county officials said, issuing an “Ozone Action Day” notice.

“Individuals who are especially sensitive to air pollution may experience shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation, wheezing and breathing discomfort,” Department of Environmental Quality officials said. “Intense physical outdoor activity causes heavier breathing, which allows ozone to penetrate deeper in the lungs.”

PDEQ detected moderate amounts of ground-level ozone in the Tucson metro area’s air. Ground-level ozone commonly comes from car exhaust, industrial and power plant emissions and volatile organic compounds, or hydrocarbons, that react with heat and sunlight, PDEQ said.

People who might be sensitive to ozone include children, adults who are active outdoors, people with respiratory diseases and certain individuals who have an unusual sensitivity to this particular pollutant, PDEQ said. Anyone feeling symptoms should seek medical attention, the advisory warns.

Actions to Reduce Ground-Level Air Pollution

• Reduce driving – combine errands into one trip
• Ride the bus, walk, bike, or share a ride with friends and family
• Avoid idling your vehicle’s engine
• Re-fuel your car after dark or during cooler evening hours when vapors are less likely to form ozone
• While re-fueling, always stop at the click
• Make sure your gas cap is tightly sealed after re-fueling
• Avoid using gas-powered lawn and gardening equipment
• Check your tire pressure monthly and keep tires properly inflated for peak performance
• Conserve electricity to reduce emissions from power plants
• Use low-VOC or water-based paints, stains, finishes, and paint strippers and ensure that they are sealed properly

PDEQ’s Clean Air Program educates residents about the potential health effects associated with elevated levels of air pollution and promotes actions to reduce it.

PDEQ monitors air pollution across the region at 16 sites. Real-time air pollution levels are available online.

You can sign up to receive Air Pollution Action Day advisories via email and text messages.

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 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to these SDGs because they involve air pollution, which can have adverse effects on human health and the environment.

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 (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 (SDG 11)
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning (SDG 13)
• Target 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 (SDG 15)

The article’s content indirectly relates to these targets as they address the reduction of air pollution, improvement of air quality in cities, integration of climate change measures, and conservation of ecosystems.

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

No, the article does not mention or imply any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

Fuente: tucsonsentinel.com

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