San Diego County plans to distribute air purifiers to an estimated 10,000 homes in South County to mitigate the odors caused by sewage flows in the Tijuana River Valley.
The Board of Supervisors at a meeting on Oct. 8 announced it will join an effort led by the San Diego Air Pollution Control District whose plan expands the county’s air purifier pilot program, approved in June.
A board letter said the county and district will distribute thousands more air purifiers to communities in the South Bay, including Imperial Beach, Nestor and San Ysidro.
According to County Board Chair Nora Vargas, the Pollution Control District has identified $2.7 million in resources, which will be reimbursed by the California Air Resources Board, for the procurement and distribution of these devices.
“I have secured commitments from the U.S. EPA and The California Air Resources Board to support the distribution of air purifiers through the San Diego Air Pollution Control District, ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the support they deserve … while laying the foundation for long-term, sustainable solutions,” said Vargas in a statement.
The district is currently working on logistical efforts, including distribution locations and timelines.
‘A step in the right direction’
Following residents registering for a randomized drawing, the county distributed a total of 414 devices in August after the county allocated $100,000 to provide free air purifiers to homes in areas affected by the sewage odors.
“I am pleased that following our letter to the Board of Supervisors requesting the immediate procurement and deployment of desperately needed air filters, we now have additional ones that will be distributed to those who need them the most: the elderly, children, and immunocompromised,” wrote City of Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre referring to a Sept. 8 letter to the county and district.
The county’s expansion for air purifiers follows a declaration that the air in the valley showed ‘no imminent threat’ last month, after university researchers said they found concerning levels of dangerous gases along the river.
“My community has been greatly affected by the high levels of Hydrogen Sulfide, permeating Imperial Beach, especially overnight and when the river is flowing,” Aguirre said. “More will be needed but this is a step in the right direction while we await a state of emergency declaration to truly expedite diversion and treatment of the river, our primary source of pollution.”
The county announced earlier this month they were to deploy informational sheets to South Bay community residents about a survey taking place Oct. 17-19, the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). County and CDC representatives will select random households and interview people face-to-face.
The county expects that this data collection effort will provide results that “inform ongoing efforts to bring more health services, resources, and infrastructure improvements to the affected areas,” said Vargas in a release shared by her office this month.
