The Air District is working with the West Oakland Environmental Indicators
Project and the West Oakland Health Council, through the Clean Air Filtration Program, to provide
portable air filtration units to low-income residents of West Oakland diagnosed with a respiratory
illness.
The air filtration units will help mitigate wildfire impacts, especially to West Oakland’s most
vulnerable residents.
“As climate change increases wildfire smoke impacts in the Bay Area, it’s crucial that we help protect
the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District.
“Through our partnership with the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project and the West
Oakland Health Council, we can help improve indoor air quality for low-income residents with
respiratory illness and reduce emergency room visits.”
“Home air filtration units are out of reach for many residents in West Oakland,” said Ms. Margaret
Gordon, co-founder of the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project. “Through this effort, the
West Oakland Health Council can distribute air filtration units directly to our community’s most
vulnerable residents who suffer from the greatest health impacts during wildfires.”
Air filtration units will be distributed by the West Oakland Health Council to low-income West Oakland
residents diagnosed with asthma, emphysema, COPD or other respiratory conditions.
Through the Clean Air Filtration Program, the Air District is working to ensure that this vulnerable
population not only has access to air filtration units — a critical tool for mitigating wildfire smoke
impacts — but is also provided guidance about how to optimally place, use and maintain the units
through this and future wildfire seasons.
Wildfire smoke can have immediate health impacts and trigger wheezing in those who suffer from
asthma, emphysema, COPD or other respiratory conditions. Residents can find relief from wildfire
smoke by setting up a cleaner air room in their home using a portable air filtration unit.
During wildfires, air pollution has real and significant health consequences, even for those without
pre-existing conditions. Wildfire preparedness tips, school air quality recommendations, information
on air quality data and more is available at www.baaqmd.gov/wildfiresafety.
More information is available on the Air District's Clean Air Filtration Program web page.
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is the regional agency responsible for protecting air
quality in the nine-county Bay Area. Connect with the Air District via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
View press release