3 days ago
Air purifier anyone? Tweed-New Haven Airport offering 800 to its neighbors
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — For months, residents near Tweed-New Haven Airport have been voicing their concerns about the environmental impacts of the airport.
In response, airport officials Tuesday announced they're moving forward with a 'Residential Indoor Air Program' with plans to provide free high-efficiency air purifiers to 815 nearby households.
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'This is about partnership,' CEO of HVN Michael Jones said. 'When the community speaks up— from residents to researchers— we believe airports can and should be part of the solution.'
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker said the issues came up during a community meeting last year, during which residents asked for air quality monitoring and air purifiers.
'Air quality monitors, which have now been in operation for over nine months, have indicated that air quality near the airport is largely the same as air quality in other areas of New Haven. Even so, we want to be responsive to residents' concerns and are happy to support this program to provide indoor air purifiers to eligible residents around the airport,' he said in a statement.
Airport officials said the program is in partnership with the City of New Haven and took into account insights from neighbors, stakeholders and the New Haven Environmental Advisory Council. However, it's fully funded by Avports, HVN's operator.
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About 496 homes will be eligible in New Haven and 319 in East Haven.
Those households will receive a medical-grade HEPA filter (Alen FLEX unit), designed to capture 99.9% of airborne particles as small as 0.1 microns. They're effective in spaces up to 1,400-sq-ft, airport officials said.
Eligible residents will get direct notice with information on enrollment and delivery for the Residential Indoor Air Program.
Other environmentally-conscious moves from airport leaders include transitioning the ground fleet to zero-emissions vehicles and applying for grant funding to add electric mowers and a zero-emissions airfield sweeper. A hydrogen fueling dispenser and additional EV charger are in development as well.
The airport is also working on plans to construct a new terminal and expand the runway.
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