Air District to provide home air filtration units in West Oakland

The air filtration units will help mitigate wildfire impacts, especially to West Oakland’s most vulnerable residents.

“As climate change increases wildfire smoke impacts in the Bay Area, it’s crucial that we help protect the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District. “Through our partnership with the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project and the West Oakland Health Council, we can help improve indoor air quality for low-income residents with respiratory illness and reduce emergency room visits.”

“Home air filtration units are out of reach for many residents in West Oakland,” said Ms. Margaret Gordon, co-founder of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project. “Through this effort, the West Oakland Health Council can distribute air filtration units directly to our community’s most vulnerable residents who suffer from the greatest health impacts during wildfires.”

Air filtration units will be distributed by the West Oakland Health Council to low-income West Oakland residents diagnosed with asthma, emphysema, COPD or other respiratory conditions.

Through the Clean Air Filtration Program, the Air District is working to ensure that this vulnerable population not only has access to air filtration units — a critical tool for mitigating wildfire smoke impacts — but is also provided guidance about how to optimally place, use and maintain the units through this and future wildfire seasons.

Wildfire smoke can have immediate health impacts and trigger wheezing in those who suffer from asthma, emphysema, COPD or other respiratory conditions. Residents can find relief from wildfire smoke by setting up a cleaner air room in their home using a portable air filtration unit. During wildfires, air pollution has real and significant health consequences, even for those without pre-existing conditions. Wildfire preparedness tips, school air quality recommendations, information on air quality data and more is available at www.baaqmd.gov/wildfiresafety.

More information is available on the Air District's Clean Air Filtration Program web page.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is the regional agency responsible for protecting air quality in the nine-county Bay Area. Connect with the Air District via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

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