The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District wants more people in South County communities impacted by odors stemming from cross-border sewage flows to apply for a free purifier.
Eligible households in Imperial Beach and the surrounding San Diego communities of Egger Highlands, Nestor, Otay Mesa West, San Ysidro and the Tijuana River Valley will receive a free air purifier and up to two replacement filters.
Those interested must online for the district’s Air Improvement Relief Effort program. Once an application is approved, officials said, the air purifier and replacement filter are shipped to the applicant’s address. The district said its air purifiers contain potassium permanganate, an oxidizing substance that can break down pollutants like hydrogen sulfide.
On Tuesday, the district announced that it expects to ship 500 purifiers in the coming days, adding to the 2,500 already distributed. Since the program launched in early February, the district has received more than 4,000 applications. Last month, officials said that most applications came from households in zip codes 92154 and 91932.
District officials had set aside about $2.7 million to purchase 10,000 purifiers and cover district staff time to conduct the program. The California Air Resources Board will reimburse the money.
“Our goal is to provide some relief to impacted residents during these periods of potential increased odors,” District Officer Paula Forbis said in a statement. “We are hoping to distribute 10,000 air purifiers as quickly as possible, but it takes some time to process applications and distribute the air purifiers. That’s why we are urging residents to apply now.”
On Monday, the county of San Diego launched an online dashboard displaying environmental conditions in South County, including beach water quality, sewage odor complaints and hydrogen sulfide data.
County and air district officials said they have been monitoring recent reports of elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide in the Tijuana River Valley, particularly at night. Late last year, the air pollution control district released an index advising the public on what to do when hydrogen sulfide levels sur certain thresholds.
The guidance recommends that people who smell the odors limit outdoor activities and increase air circulation indoors. Those with asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions should have their medications readily available and seek medical help if their conditions worsen.
For more information about the air purifier program, including requirements and to apply, visit sdapcd.org/filter or call 858-586-2779.
