Air quality action day declared as smoke drifts from Canadian wildfires – WMUR

Public Health Alert Issued in New Hampshire Amidst Air Quality Degradation

State officials in New Hampshire have declared an “Air Quality Action Day” in response to significant smoke influx from Canadian wildfires. This measure, prompted by deteriorating air quality, directly addresses concerns central to Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all. The Department of Environmental Services (DES) has identified that clockwise wind patterns are transporting smoke southward from Central Canada, posing a direct risk to public health within the state.

Environmental Monitoring and Public Information Dissemination

Data-Driven Response and Community Safety

In alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which focuses on creating safe, resilient, and sustainable communities, the DES Air Quality division employs a systematic approach to environmental monitoring. The process involves:

1. Continuous analysis of data from air quality detectors positioned across the state.
2. Collaborative assessment by division members to identify significant changes in air quality.
3. Issuance of an official declaration and air quality forecast upon confirmation of elevated risk levels.

David Healy, Chief Scientist at the Air Resources Division, noted that such announcements are a critical public service. “When that type of thing happens, we need to inform the public that air quality could be unhealthy for certain groups,” he stated, emphasizing the state’s commitment to protecting its citizens.

Health Sector Impacts and Recommendations

Increased Demand on Medical Services

The degradation of air quality has a measurable impact on public health infrastructure, a key area of focus for SDG 3. Medical professionals report a direct correlation between poor air quality days and an increase in patients presenting with respiratory issues at hospitals and emergency rooms. Dr. Marc Grossman of Portsmouth Regional Hospital confirmed the value of these alerts, stating, “It really helps us to diagnose and differentiate exactly what’s going on with these clusters of patients that we are inevitably going to see.”

Public Health Guidance for Vulnerable Populations

To mitigate health risks and promote well-being, health officials have issued specific guidance, particularly for vulnerable segments of the population. The following groups are strongly encouraged to remain indoors and avoid outdoor air exposure:

• Older adults
• Young children
• Individuals with pre-existing cardiac conditions
• Individuals with pre-existing respiratory issues

Collaborative Action for Sustainable Development Goals

Partnerships for Public Well-being

The response to this environmental challenge exemplifies Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17), which promotes partnerships for the goals. The coordinated efforts between the Department of Environmental Services and the medical community highlight a successful collaboration aimed at a shared objective: safeguarding human lives. “We just have such devoted staff here that are ready to jump into action on these types of days,” said Healy, underscoring the dedication to this common purpose.

Broader Environmental Context

This event also underscores the interconnectedness of global environmental challenges, linking to Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action) and Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land). The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, which are the source of the air quality issue, are tied to broader climate patterns and have profound impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. Addressing air quality is therefore not only a localized health issue but also part of a larger, global effort to build a sustainable and resilient future.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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 poor air quality to negative health outcomes. It mentions that air quality could be “unhealthy for certain groups,” leading to a “higher number of patients with respiratory issues” and risks for those with “cardiac or breathing issues.” The primary goal of the response is “saving lives,” which is central to SDG 3.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The issue of air pollution is a key challenge for human settlements. The article discusses the management of air quality across New Hampshire, a community directly affected by an environmental hazard. The state’s coordinated response, involving the Department of Environmental Services and public warnings, is an effort to make the community safer and more resilient to such events.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article attributes the poor air quality to “Canadian wildfire smoke.” Large-scale wildfires are recognized as a climate-related hazard, often exacerbated by climate change. The state’s response, an “Air Quality Action Day,” represents an action to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related disasters, which is a core component of SDG 13.

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

1. 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 focus on the health risks of wildfire smoke, such as “respiratory issues” and dangers for those with “cardiac or breathing issues,” directly relates to reducing illnesses from air pollution.
2. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
   • The process described—analyzing data from detectors, declaring an “Air Quality Action Day,” and issuing press releases to warn the public and medical professionals—is a clear example of an early warning and risk management system for a public health risk.
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.
   • The entire event is centered on managing poor air quality. The state’s Air Resources Division actively monitors and reports on air quality to mitigate its adverse environmental and health impacts on the population.
4. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • The wildfire smoke is a climate-related hazard. The established protocol for an “Air Quality Action Day” demonstrates a system designed to strengthen the state’s resilience and ability to adapt to and manage the impacts of such events.

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

• Data from air quality detectors: The article explicitly states that the Department’s Air Quality division analyzes “data coming in from detectors set up across the state.” This data, likely measuring particulate matter, serves as a direct indicator for air pollution levels (relevant to Indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter).
• Number of hospital admissions for respiratory issues: The article notes that medical professionals see a “higher number of patients with respiratory issues come through hospitals and emergency rooms” on these days. Tracking this number would be an indicator of the health impact of air pollution (relevant to Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to air pollution).
• Issuance of public warnings: The process of drafting and sending a “press release to send to the public, warning of a higher risk” is an action that can be tracked. The existence and implementation of this early warning system is an indicator of preparedness (relevant to Indicator 3.d.1: International Health Regulations (IHR) capacity and health emergency preparedness).
• Existence of a formal response plan: The “Air Quality Action Day” itself, described as a formal declaration and response, implies the existence of a local disaster risk reduction strategy, which is a key indicator for resilience (relevant to Indicator 13.1.2: Number of countries and local governments that have disaster risk reduction strategies).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wmur.com