Latest news with #AirImprovementReliefEffort
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Free air purifiers available for South Bay residents: Here's how to apply
CHULA VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Residents in South Bay communities near the Tijuana River Valley can apply for a free air purifier part of a new program. The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District's (SDAPCD) new program will give out free air purifiers to some households impacted by the odors from the sewage flows at the U.S.-Mexico border. EPA Chief Lee Zeldin to visit US-Mexico border, examine Tijuana sewage crisis Most households in the southern San Diego communities of Otay Mesa West, San Ysidro, Egger Highlands, Nestor, the Tijuana River Valley, and the City of Imperial Beach can apply for the Air Improvement Relief Effort (AIRE) Program. Residents can visit to check eligibility for the program by their address. SDAPCD says priority will be given to homes with children and people over 65 years of age, and in communities closest to the Tijuana River Valley. Those that are chosen will receive a free air purifier and up to two replacement filters that will be shipped by the manufacturer. CDC health survey shows impacts of Tijuana sewage crisis on South Bay residents SDAPCD noted that due to limited quantities not all eligible households will receive an air purifier. Residents in southern San Diego County have been dealing with impacts from the cross-border pollution for years, including air and water quality. Toxic sewage from Tijuana River impacts Imperial Beach Little League SDAPCD says the air purifiers will be given to homes directly impacted by the hydrogen sulfide odors, which smells similar to 'rotten eggs,' that is produced by the transboundary wastewater and sewage flows near the Tijuana River Valley. The air purifiers help to improve air quality by reducing contaminants and pollutants in a room. The health and environmental impacts from the sewage pollution caught the attention of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which sent officials to conduct a public health survey in late 2024. The results of that study found a majority of residents said they have health concerns, symptoms and quality-of-life issues. In early April, EPA Chief Lee Zeldin posted on social media intentions to visit the U.S.-Mexico border in the coming weeks to see first-hand the impacts from the sewage crisis after years of repeated calls for action from the federal government. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Government takes drastic step to protect thousands of households threatened by poisoned air: 'We keep fighting'
In an effort to help residents breathe easier, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District is distributing 10,000 air purifiers to South Bay households. The distribution program aims to ease the impact of the ongoing Tijuana River Valley pollution crisis, which has sent noxious odors and pollution into nearby neighborhoods for years. "No one should have to breathe polluted air in their own home," said SDAPCD board member and county supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer in a KPBS news report. The free purifiers are part of the Air Improvement Relief Effort and are designed to filter out hydrogen sulfide, a gas that smells like rotten eggs and is linked to sewage pollution from the Tijuana River. According to Lawson-Remer, the initiative will help "10,000 households protect their health, while we keep fighting for clean air and water in our community." Due to limited supply, families with children, seniors 65 and older, and homes closest to the Tijuana River will get priority for the air purifiers. Households can register on the SDAPCD website to receive a unit by mail. Local distribution events will also be held. Clean air is essential to healthy living, yet more than 83 million people in the United States are exposed to unhealthy air every year, according to First Street. That figure includes 10 million people who may have exposure to very unhealthy air quality and 1.5 million people who are at risk of experiencing hazardous air quality. For the communities around the Tijuana River, odor is just one concern. Experts have linked long-term exposure to air pollution to skin conditions such as eczema and increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline. If no meaningful action is taken, studies show that the number of Americans affected by poor air quality could increase by more than 50% by 2054. The air purifier distribution effort is just one piece of a larger puzzle. Local officials and the International Boundary and Water Commission are working on long-term solutions, including expanding a nearby wastewater treatment plant to help reduce pollution at the source. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In the meantime, residents can take small steps to protect their indoor air, including sealing windows and doors, using exhaust fans while cooking, and replacing old HVAC filters regularly. Another way you can make an impact is by using your voice and speaking up to your local representatives. Communities are stronger when people work together to make change happen. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
