The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District continues its distribution of air purifiers to residential households near the Tijuana River Valley, which is being overwhelmed by hydrogen sulfide odors as a result of toxic sewage contaminating the river and Pacific Ocean.
Latest numbers show 7,000 purifiers are available for south San Diego County residents. Those living in Imperial Beach, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Egger Highlands, Nestor and the Tijuana River Valley are eligible to apply for air filtration devices online at https://filters.sdapcd.org/.
One online application, that takes less than five minutes to complete and is available in five languages, is being accepted per household. Proof of residency is required along with a name and address. Priority distribution will be given to households with children and individuals over 65 years of age, as well as communities closest to the Tijuana River Valley, according to the district’s program website.
The program website says households that previously received a filter from the Air Improvement Relief Effort program, or the county’s 2024 Air Purifier Pilot Program, are not eligible.
Selectees will receive one air purifier and a replacement filter, shipped by the manufacturer, in a four to six week timeframe.
The district’s Air Improvement Relief Effort program launched in early February with the goal of distributing 10,000 air purifiers containing potassium permanganate, a compound that specifically helps filter hydrogen sulfide.
Since the program’s inception, the district has received 4,000 applications and distributed over 2,500 air purifiers to eligible households. On April 28, the district expected to ship out an additional 500 air purifiers in the coming days.
“Our goal is to provide some relief to impacted residents during these periods of potential increased odors,” said Paula Forbis, the district’s air pollution control officer, in a statement. “That’s why we are urging residents to apply now.”
Call (858) 586-2779 or email filters@sdapcd.org for any questions about the program and application process.
