Salt Lake City and Provo air quality reaches EPA standards after 15 year journey – KSL NewsRadio

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

1.0 Executive Summary

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially recognized the Salt Lake City and Provo metropolitan areas in Utah for achieving compliance with the 2006 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for 24-hour PM_2.5 (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 micrometers). This achievement marks a significant milestone in the state’s decade-long effort to improve air quality, directly contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

2.0 Background: Air Quality and Public Health (SDG 3)

The attainment of this standard is critical for advancing SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. PM_2.5 is a complex mixture of microscopic particles and liquid droplets that, due to their small size, can penetrate deep into the respiratory system and enter the bloodstream. This pollutant is a leading cause of visibility impairment and poses significant health risks.

• Health Impacts: Exposure to high concentrations of PM_2.5 is linked to aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, and premature death, particularly in individuals with pre-existing heart or lung conditions.
• Regulatory Standard: The federal standard mandates that PM_2.5 concentrations remain below 35 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³). By meeting this threshold, Utah has taken a decisive step to reduce the incidence of non-communicable diseases caused by air pollution, a key target of SDG 3.

3.0 Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Sustainable Cities (SDG 11 & SDG 17)

Since 2009, the Salt Lake City and Provo areas were designated as “nonattainment” zones. The successful redesignation is a direct result of robust partnerships, reflecting the principles of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. This collaborative framework was essential for creating sustainable urban environments in line with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

1. Governmental Cooperation: The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the EPA worked collaboratively for over five years to approve and implement Utah’s redesignation requests and maintenance plans.
2. Public-Private Partnerships: The achievement involved extensive planning and investment from the public, private industry, and multiple levels of government.
3. Community Engagement: Public education campaigns proved successful in encouraging residents to actively participate in emissions reduction efforts.

4.0 Strategic Interventions and Contributions to SDGs

A series of targeted strategies were implemented to reduce emissions from various sources. These actions support a broad range of Sustainable Development Goals beyond health and urban sustainability.

• Regulatory Framework: The implementation of 23 new rules targeting emissions from multiple sources provided a strong foundation for air quality improvement, supporting SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by promoting cleaner industrial practices.
• Incentive Programs: State legislature-backed incentives for retrofitting or replacing high-emission wood stoves and diesel vehicles contribute to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13: Climate Action by reducing reliance on inefficient, polluting technologies.
• Sustainable Transportation: Mandatory vehicle emissions testing and significant improvements to public transit directly address targets within SDG 11 by reducing the environmental impact of cities and providing access to safe, affordable, and sustainable transport systems.

5.0 Conclusion and Forward Outlook

The attainment of the 2006 PM_2.5 standard in Salt Lake City and Provo demonstrates a successful model for achieving environmental compliance through cooperative federalism and multi-stakeholder action. This progress significantly advances Utah’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. The state continues its work to address other air quality challenges, including efforts to attain the 2015 standard for ground-level ozone, reinforcing its ongoing dedication to creating healthy, sustainable communities for all residents.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article directly connects air pollution to public health. It states that exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter (PM_2.5) increases the risk of “aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, irregular heartbeat, heart attack and premature death in people with heart or lung disease.” The effort to improve air quality is a direct action to protect and improve the health of the population in Salt Lake City and Provo.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The focus of the article is on improving the environmental quality of two urban areas, Salt Lake City and Provo. By addressing air pollution, the state of Utah is working to make these cities safer, more resilient, and sustainable for their inhabitants. The article highlights urban-focused solutions like improving public transit and managing vehicle emissions.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: While the article’s primary focus is on air quality, the measures taken to achieve it also contribute to climate action. Actions such as providing incentives to replace “high-emission wood stoves and diesel vehicles” and improving public transit directly reduce the emission of pollutants that are often co-emitted with greenhouse gases, thus serving as a co-benefit for climate change mitigation.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article emphasizes the collaborative nature of the success. It explicitly mentions that the achievement resulted from “extensive planning and collaboration among the public, industry, and various government levels.” It also highlights the cooperative work between the Utah Department of Environmental Quality and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), showcasing a multi-stakeholder partnership essential for achieving sustainable development.

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 entire initiative described in the article is aimed at reducing air pollution (PM_2.5), which the CDC and EPA identify as a cause of significant illness and premature death. Meeting the air quality standard is a direct step toward this target.
• 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 is centered on the successful effort to improve air quality in the Salt Lake City and Provo urban areas, which were previously designated as “nonattainment” for not meeting the EPA’s standard.
• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. The article credits the success to the collaborative efforts of the public, private industry, and government organizations (state and federal), which perfectly aligns with the goal of fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships.

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

• Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution. The article implies this indicator by noting that high concentrations of PM_2.5 can lead to “premature death in people with heart or lung disease.” Reducing PM_2.5 levels would, therefore, lead to a reduction in the mortality rate attributed to ambient air pollution.
• Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) in cities (population weighted). This is the most direct indicator mentioned. The article is entirely focused on meeting the 2006 PM_2.5 24-hour National Ambient Air Quality Standard. It specifies the exact measurement: “The standard requires concentrations of PM_2.5 to be smaller than 35 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³).” This is a clear, quantifiable metric for measuring air quality in the cities discussed.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kslnewsradio.com