Report on Air Quality Impacts at an NFL Event in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

An analysis of the environmental conditions for the scheduled National Football League (NFL) game between the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium reveals significant concerns regarding air quality. The forecast of poor air quality, specifically elevated levels of nitrogen dioxide, presents a direct challenge to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). This report details the environmental forecast, its documented impact on athletic performance, and its broader implications for urban sustainability.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The predicted air quality for the event directly threatens the health and well-being of athletes, staff, and spectators, undermining the objectives of SDG 3. The decision to keep the stadium roof open exposes all participants to atmospheric pollutants.

• Health Risks: The “poor” air quality warning indicates conditions unhealthy for sensitive groups, with potential symptoms including breathing difficulties and throat irritation. This contravenes Target 3.9 of the SDGs, which aims to substantially reduce illnesses from air pollution.
• Impact on Performance: Scientific studies confirm that poor air quality impairs both physical and cognitive functions, which is critical for high-performance athletes. This impairment represents a tangible health and safety risk in a professional sporting context.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The situation in Atlanta highlights critical challenges related to urban environmental management, a core component of SDG 11. The city’s air quality issues, compounded by large-scale events, reflect a need for more sustainable urban planning.

1. Worsening Urban Air Quality: The 2025 State of the Air report from the American Lung Association identifies Atlanta as having worsening air pollution, ranking it as the third-worst metro in the Southeast for ozone pollution and the fourth worst for year-round particle pollution.
2. Impact of Mass Gatherings: A 2023 study by the University of South Carolina found that levels of ozone and nitrogen oxide increase in correlation with attendance at sporting events. This demonstrates how large events can locally exacerbate pollution, working against SDG Target 11.6, which focuses on reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities by improving air quality.

Empirical Evidence on Air Quality and Athletic Performance

Multiple academic studies provide quantitative evidence linking poor air quality to diminished athletic performance, reinforcing the urgency of addressing these environmental factors.

• A 2022 University of Louisiana at Lafayette study found a correlation between low air quality and an increase in mistakes, such as interceptions and degraded quarterback performance, in both NFL and MLB games.
• A 2023 West Virginia University study reviewing 90,000 offensive plays determined that air pollution disproportionately affected defensive players, leading to an increase in yards gained per play by the offense.
• The specific pollutant of concern for the Bills-Falcons game, nitrogen dioxide, is a known respiratory irritant, and its presence at elevated levels is a clear environmental health concern.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article directly connects poor air quality to negative health outcomes. It states that the predicted air quality is “deemed unhealthy for sensitive groups — causing symptoms of difficulty breathing or throat irritation.” This aligns with SDG 3’s goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
• Furthermore, the article cites a study suggesting that poor air quality leads to “possible physical and cognitive impairment,” which is a direct concern for human health and well-being.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The issue of air pollution is framed within an urban context, specifically Atlanta. The article highlights a city-wide problem by referencing the “2025 State of the Air report from the American Lung Association,” which ranked Atlanta as the “third-worst metro in the Southeast for ozone pollution and fourth worst for year-round particle pollution.”
• This focus on the environmental quality of a major city directly relates to SDG 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

• The article’s discussion of air pollution causing “difficulty breathing or throat irritation” and “physical and cognitive impairment” directly refers to illnesses caused by air pollution, which is the central theme of this target. The specific pollutants mentioned—nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter—are forms of hazardous air pollution.

Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality.

• This target is addressed by the article’s core focus on the poor air quality in Atlanta. The mention of a report that ranks the city poorly for “ozone pollution” and “year-round particle pollution” highlights the adverse environmental impact of the city, with a specific emphasis on air quality as mandated by this target.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.

• While the article does not mention mortality rates, it explicitly discusses the presence of ambient (outdoor) air pollutants that are the basis for this indicator. The text identifies “nitrogen dioxide,” “ozone,” and “particulate matter” as the specific pollutants of concern. The measurement and reporting of these pollutants, as done by AccuWeather and the American Lung Association in the article, are the foundational data used to assess progress on this indicator.

Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities (population weighted).

• This indicator is directly implied and partially mentioned. The article references the “State of the Air report” which lists Atlanta as the “fourth worst for year-round particle pollution.” This ranking is based on measuring the levels of particulate matter in the city, which is precisely what Indicator 11.6.2 tracks. The article also mentions other key urban air pollutants like ozone and nitrogen dioxide, which are often measured alongside particulate matter to assess urban air quality.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: democratandchronicle.com