Report on Air Quality Degradation in Iowa and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Incident Overview

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued an air quality alert for the state of Iowa. The alert is in response to significant smoke drift originating from wildfires in Canada. This atmospheric event is projected to cause widespread exceedances of fine particulate matter standards over the next several days, impacting the majority of the state.

Public Health Impact and Alignment with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

This air quality event presents a direct challenge to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), which seeks to ensure healthy lives for all. The wildfire smoke contains high concentrations of fine particulates and gases that can act as ozone precursors, leading to conditions that are detrimental to human health.

The Iowa DNR notes that particulate levels may exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter, reaching levels considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups” and potentially “unhealthy” for the general population. This directly threatens the well-being of citizens, with specific risks for:

• Older adults
• Children and teenagers
• Individuals with pre-existing heart or lung conditions
• Outdoor workers

When air quality reaches “unhealthy” levels, even healthy adults are advised to limit outdoor exposure, underscoring the broad public health implications and the importance of safeguarding clean air as a component of SDG 3.

Environmental and Community Implications: SDGs 11, 13, and 15

The incident highlights the interconnectedness of environmental health, climate stability, and community safety, touching upon several key Sustainable Development Goals.

• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The degradation of air quality directly impacts the goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The need for residents to curtail daily activities and remain indoors affects community life and economic activity.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): The increasing scale and frequency of wildfires are widely linked to climate change. This transboundary pollution event serves as a critical reminder of the far-reaching consequences of climate inaction and the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate climate change.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): The source of the pollution—extensive wildfires—represents a significant degradation of terrestrial ecosystems. This loss of forests and biodiversity is a direct setback to the targets of SDG 15, which aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

Official Recommendations and Multi-Agency Response (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals)

The coordinated response to this public health threat exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Federal, state, and local agencies, including the Iowa DNR, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Des Moines Police Department, are collaborating to monitor the situation and disseminate crucial information to the public.

In alignment with guidance from these agencies, all individuals, particularly those in sensitive groups, are advised to take the following precautions:

• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
• Keep necessary outdoor activities brief.
• Consider moving activities indoors or rescheduling them until air quality improves.

Citizens are encouraged to monitor real-time conditions and access further guidance through the EPA’s AirNow website.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article’s primary focus is on the health risks posed by poor air quality from wildfire smoke. It details the issuance of an air quality alert and provides specific health advice for sensitive groups and the general public.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The issue is framed within a specific geographic context (Iowa, Des Moines), addressing the environmental quality of a human settlement. The article discusses the impact of air pollution on the city’s inhabitants and the response from local authorities.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: Although not explicitly mentioned, the Canadian wildfires are a large-scale natural disaster intensified by climate change. The article discusses the local impact of this climate-related hazard and the adaptive measures being taken (issuing alerts and advisories).
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The root cause of the air pollution is the wildfires in Canada, which directly relates to the destruction of forests and ecosystems on land.

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

• 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 directly addresses this by highlighting the health dangers of fine particulate matter from smoke and the measures people can take to avoid illness.

• 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 entire article is about an air quality event in Iowa and Des Moines, demonstrating the importance of monitoring and managing urban air pollution.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The issuance of an air quality alert by the Iowa DNR and the recommendations from the Des Moines Police Department are examples of building resilience and adapting to the impacts of a climate-related hazard (wildfire smoke).

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  • Target 15.1: “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests…” The Canadian wildfires represent a failure to protect forest ecosystems, the source of the problem discussed in the article.

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

• For SDG 3 and SDG 11

  • Indicator (Directly Mentioned): The concentration of fine particulate matter. The article specifies that the national standard is “35 micrograms per cubic meter over a 24-hour period.” This is a direct measurement used to assess air quality, aligning with official indicator 11.6.2 (Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities).
  • Indicator (Implied): The number of air quality alerts issued. The fact that the Iowa DNR issued an alert indicates a system for monitoring and reporting on air pollution levels that are hazardous to human health.

• For SDG 13

  • Indicator (Implied): The existence of early warning systems and public advisories. The article describes the actions of the Iowa DNR, EPA, and Des Moines Police Department, which function as a system to warn and protect the population from a natural hazard, which relates to measuring adaptive capacity.

• For SDG 15

  • Indicator (Implied): The occurrence and scale of wildfires. The article is predicated on the existence of “Canadian wildfires,” the frequency and extent of which are indicators of forest health and land degradation.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: weareiowa.com