Tips to maintain air quality during wildfire season – WGAL

Report on Mitigating Health Impacts of Wildfire-Induced Air Pollution in Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: Climate Change, Air Quality, and Public Health

The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, a direct consequence of climate change, present a significant threat to public health and environmental stability. This phenomenon directly impacts several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Escalating global temperatures, prolonged droughts, and extended heatwaves create conditions conducive to wildfires.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Wildfire smoke degrades air quality by releasing fine particulate matter (less than 10 micrometers), posing severe risks to respiratory and cardiovascular health, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Poor air quality compromises the safety and resilience of communities, necessitating adaptive strategies to protect inhabitants from environmental hazards.

This report outlines key protective measures individuals and families can implement to mitigate exposure to harmful air pollutants, thereby supporting the objectives of these critical SDGs.

2.0 Recommended Protective Measures and Interventions

To safeguard public health and enhance community resilience against the backdrop of deteriorating air quality, the following interventions are recommended:

1. Indoor Air Filtration Systems

   The deployment of high-quality air purifiers is a critical strategy for maintaining safe indoor environments, directly contributing to SDG 3. Wildfire smoke infiltrates buildings through various openings and systems.

   • Technology: True High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are certified to remove microscopic particles from the air, effectively reducing exposure to harmful pollutants.
   • Health Benefits: Beyond smoke, these systems can remove allergens, asthma triggers, and airborne viruses, promoting overall well-being.

2. HVAC and Air Conditioning System Management

   Optimizing building infrastructure is essential for creating resilient living spaces, a core component of SDG 11. Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems can be a pathway for outdoor pollutants but can also be part of the solution.

   • Filter Upgrades: It is advised to use high-efficiency filters (MERV 13 rating or higher) in HVAC systems to better capture fine particles. Regular maintenance and proper fitting are crucial.
   • System Sealing: For window air conditioning units, ensuring a tight seal prevents the ingress of polluted air. Fresh air intake settings on HVAC systems should be disabled during smoke events.

3. Establishment of a Designated Clean Room

   Creating a clean air sanctuary within a home is an effective adaptation strategy that supports SDG 3 by minimizing exposure for the most vulnerable individuals. This designated space serves as a haven during periods of hazardous air quality.

   • Protocol: The room should have all windows and doors closed. An air purifier should be operated continuously.
   • Activity Restriction: Activities that generate indoor pollutants, such as cooking with gas appliances or smoking, should be avoided within this space.

4. Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

   When outdoor exposure is unavoidable, the use of appropriate PPE is a final line of defense for protecting individual health (SDG 3).

   • Respirator Masks: N95 respirator masks are designed to filter out harmful airborne particles and are recommended for use during wildfire smoke events.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 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’s primary focus is on protecting human health from the adverse effects of poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke. It provides actionable advice to mitigate health risks, such as respiratory issues, especially for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing heart or breathing problems.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article addresses the safety and resilience of communities in the face of environmental disasters. It discusses how to make indoor environments (homes) safer from external air pollution, a critical aspect of urban and community well-being, particularly as climate-related events like wildfires become more frequent.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The article explicitly links the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires to climate change, citing “higher temperatures, extended heatwaves, drier summers, and increased drought.” The guidance provided is a form of adaptation to the direct impacts of climate change.

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 offering methods to reduce exposure to harmful airborne particles from wildfire smoke, thereby aiming to prevent illnesses.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected…caused by disasters…with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations. Wildfires are climate-related disasters. The article’s advice on creating “clean rooms” and using N95 masks is aimed at reducing the number of people affected, with a specific mention of protecting vulnerable groups.
  • 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 centered on the problem of poor air quality resulting from wildfires and how individuals within communities can protect themselves from this adverse environmental impact.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The article provides practical guidance on how individuals and families can build resilience and adapt to the health impacts of wildfires, which are identified as a climate-related hazard.

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

• For Target 3.9 and 11.6

  • Indicator (Implied): Measurement of airborne particulate matter. The article mentions that “wildfire smoke can have particles less than 10 micrometers.” This directly relates to the official indicator 11.6.2: Annual mean levels of fine particulate matter (e.g. PM2.5 and PM10) in cities. The presence and concentration of these particles are the primary measure of the air quality problem discussed.

• For Target 11.5

  • Indicator (Implied): Number of people affected by disasters. The article highlights the need to protect specific groups: “children, older adults and people with heart disease or breathing problems.” This aligns with efforts to measure and reduce the number of people affected by disasters, as outlined in indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population. The article’s advice aims to lower the number of “directly affected persons.”

• For Target 13.1

  • Indicator (Implied): Adoption of protective and adaptive measures. The article recommends specific actions such as purchasing air purifiers with “True HEPA air filters,” upgrading to “MERV 13 or higher rated” HVAC filters, creating “clean rooms,” and using “N95 respirator masks.” The rate of adoption of these measures within at-risk populations can serve as a proxy indicator for increased adaptive capacity to climate-related health hazards.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wgal.com