Residents impacted by Oceano Dunes dust pollution can get free air purifiers. Here’s how
Residents most impacted from dust blowing from the Oceano Dunes, as well as wildfire smoke, can now receive free air purifiers.
The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District (APCD) will be handing out about 575 of the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers on a first-come, first-served basis to low-income residents in Oceano and areas of Nipomo and Arroyo Grande.
The free purifiers are available through the newly-approved Clean Air Rooms Pilot Program, which was allocated $100,000 during the APCD’s meeting on Jan. 26.
“Over the past several years, residents in the pilot program communities have seen increased exposure to wildfire smoke and particulate matter from blowing dust” from Oceano Dunes Vehicular Recreation Area, an APCD news release said. “These fine particles can affect respiratory and cardiovascular systems and are especially harmful to people with pre-existing conditions, young children, elderly and pregnant women.”
During a wildfire or blowing dust event, the APCD said, the best protection for your health is to “stay indoors as much as possible.”
“In a well-sealed indoor environment, HEPA devices can reduce particulate matter by more than 90%,” the agency said.
The APCD hopes to expand the program to other areas of San Luis Obispo County should this one prove successful.
Residents in the Oceano zipcode of 93445, as well as those in the Nipomo Mesa area located in the Mesa 2 and CDF Air Quality Forecast zones designated by the APCD, are eligible for the air purifiers. The APCD will ask for a utility bill, driver’s license or other form of address identification.
Additionally, those wishing to pick up an air purifier must show proof of income eligibility.
“Privacy is extremely important to us,” the ACPD noted. “None of your information will be kept the day of the event. You will just need to show staff working the event.”
Items that can be used to show low-income eligibility could include participation in a state or federal low income assistance program, low-income home energy assistance program, PG&E Care Program, Southern California Gas Company Care Program, SNAP food benefits, Welfare statements or TANF participation, Medicaid and/or Children’s Health Insurance Program, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Section 8 or HASLO participation, or 2021 income tax statements.
The APCD will base income eligibility on 2021 limits. For instance, a family of four making $78,250 or less in 2021 would be eligible for a free HEPA purifier, as would a two-person household making $62,600 a year or less.
The free air purifiers can be picked up at the Oceano Community Services District office located at 1655 Front Street in Oceano on Saturday, April 30, at 9 a.m. or Tuesday, May 3, at 4:30 p.m.
“The SLO County APCD is excited for the opportunity to serve the community with this new program and reduce potential health effects from the harmful exposure to particulate matter,” the news release said.
