Report on Air Quality, Public Health, and Sustainable Development Goals in Colorado

Executive Summary

This report details the significant public health risks emerging in Colorado due to a combination of wildfire smoke, extreme heat, and ground-level ozone pollution. These environmental hazards present a multi-pronged threat to human health, exacerbating chronic conditions and creating new health issues for the general population. The situation directly impacts the progress toward several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, sustainable communities, and climate action. Analysis is based on state-issued advisories and expert commentary from the Colorado School of Public Health.

Environmental Threats and Their Link to Sustainable Development Goals

The current air quality crisis in Colorado is driven by several interconnected environmental factors, highlighting challenges related to multiple SDGs.

Wildfires and Climate Change: A Challenge to SDG 13 and SDG 15

The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, a primary source of particulate matter pollution, underscore the urgent need for **SDG 13 (Climate Action)**. With twice as many fires burning nationally compared to the previous year, the link between climate change and severe environmental health hazards is clear. These events also degrade terrestrial ecosystems, working against the aims of **SDG 15 (Life on Land)**, which seeks to protect and restore forests.

• Wildfires release harmful gases and particulate matter (PM).
• These pollutants contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone.
• The rise in wildfire activity is a direct consequence of climate-related factors like heat and dry conditions.

Ozone Pollution and Urban Air Quality: An Obstacle for SDG 11

Ground-level ozone, a harmful pollutant formed from the atmospheric reaction of industrial emissions and fossil fuels, poses a significant threat. The Denver metro area’s ranking as the 6th worst city for ozone pollution nationally is a direct challenge to **SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)**, specifically Target 11.6, which aims to reduce the adverse environmental impact of cities by improving air quality.

• High temperatures exacerbate the formation of ground-level ozone.
• Wildfire smoke intensifies ozone pollution by releasing precursor chemicals like volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides.
• State and regional authorities frequently issue action day alerts for high ozone levels.

Public Health Impacts and the Imperative of SDG 3

The convergence of wildfire smoke, ozone, and extreme heat creates a severe public health crisis, undermining the core principles of **SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)**. This goal, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, is threatened by the wide range of physical and mental health issues arising from poor air quality.

Acute and Chronic Health Conditions

Exposure to the current environmental conditions can cause immediate symptoms and worsen long-term health problems, directly contravening Target 3.9 of the SDGs, which focuses on reducing illnesses from air pollution.

1. Respiratory and Cardiovascular Distress: Particulate matter and ozone are known to cause eye and throat irritation, coughing, and shortness of breath. They significantly exacerbate pre-existing conditions such as asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and congestive heart failure. Research indicates a 64% increase in asthma-related pediatric emergency visits during such events.
2. Systemic and Cognitive Effects: Beyond the lungs, pollutants can cause liver problems, headaches, fatigue, and dehydration. Chronic exposure is increasingly linked to cognitive decline and cardiovascular damage.
3. Mental Health Impacts: Studies have established a connection between exposure to wildfire smoke and adverse mental health outcomes, including increased rates of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress.

Safety Recommendations and Public Guidance

To mitigate health risks and protect vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions, experts recommend the following protective measures.

Personal and Household Safety Protocols

• Monitor Air Quality: Sign up for official air quality alerts. Visual cues like haze or the smell of smoke are unreliable indicators, as harmful pollution can be present even on clear days.
• Limit Outdoor Exposure: Avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially during peak pollution hours. If outdoor work is necessary, wearing a protective mask is advised.
• Create a Safe Indoor Environment:
  1. Keep windows and doors closed.
  2. Use air conditioning systems on the “recirculate” setting to prevent outdoor air from entering.
  3. Regularly check and replace furnace and HVAC air filters.
  4. Invest in high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters for additional indoor air purification.
• Protect Vulnerable Individuals and Pets: Apply all safety precautions diligently for children, older adults, those with chronic illnesses, and household pets, who are also susceptible to the effects of poor air quality.
• Consider Temporary Relocation: For those living in close proximity to active wildfires, leaving the area temporarily may be the safest option.

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

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article extensively discusses the health impacts of poor air quality resulting from wildfire smoke and ozone pollution. It details a range of health issues, including respiratory symptoms (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath), cardiovascular problems (exacerbation of congestive heart failure), mental health issues (depression, anxiety, psychological distress), and other physical symptoms like headaches and fatigue. It specifically mentions a “64 percent increase in asthma-related pediatric emergency and urgent care visits,” directly linking air quality to health outcomes.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The article highlights the issue of urban air pollution, focusing on the Denver metro area. It states that Denver is “one of the worst cities in the country for ozone pollution, ranking 6th worst in the nation.” This directly addresses the environmental quality and sustainability of cities, as industrial pollution and fossil fuel emissions are cited as primary causes of harmful ground-level ozone.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The article connects the air quality crisis to climate-related phenomena. It mentions “extreme heat,” which exacerbates ozone formation, and an “increase in wildfires, both frequency and intensity.” It notes that there are “twice as many fires burning nationally as last year at this time,” pointing to a worsening trend linked to climate change. The discussion of wildfires as a major source of air pollutants directly ties into the impacts of climate-related hazards.

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

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • 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 article’s entire focus is on the illnesses caused by air pollution from wildfire smoke and ozone. It lists numerous health conditions, from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases to mental health issues and cognitive decline, all resulting from exposure to polluted air.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. The article mentions that the state has issued “air quality advisories and warnings” and that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment “frequently issue action day alerts for high ozone.” These are direct examples of early warning and risk management systems designed to protect public health.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality. The article’s reference to the Denver metro area’s ranking as the “6th worst in the nation” for ozone pollution directly relates to this target. It highlights the significant adverse environmental impact of poor air quality on the city’s population.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The article discusses the “increase in wildfires, both frequency and intensity” as a major hazard. The advice provided on how to stay safe (staying indoors, using HEPA filters, wearing masks) represents measures to build personal resilience and adaptive capacity to these events.

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

1. Indicators for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

   • Incidence of pollution-related illness: The article provides a specific metric: a “64 percent increase in asthma-related pediatric emergency and urgent care visits” on high-particulate days. This can be used as an indicator to measure the health burden from air pollution (Target 3.9).
   • Prevalence of early warning systems: The mention of “air quality advisories and warnings” and “action day alerts” serves as a qualitative indicator that early warning systems are in place and operational (Target 3.d). The frequency of these alerts could also be tracked.

2. Indicators for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

   • Urban air pollution levels: The article provides a clear indicator for air quality in a city by stating Denver’s rank as the “6th worst in the nation” for ozone pollution, according to the American Lung Association. This ranking is a direct measure of the annual mean level of a key pollutant (ozone) in an urban area (Target 11.6).

3. Indicators for SDG 13 (Climate Action)

   • Frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters: The article states there are “twice as many fires burning nationally as last year at this time.” This comparison serves as a direct indicator of the increasing frequency of wildfires, a key climate-related hazard (Target 13.1).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cpr.org