Air Improvement Relief Effort Program

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) is distributing FREE air purifiers to households affected by the emissions caused by hydrogen sulfide, a colorless gas with a strong smell similar to “rotten eggs,” that is produced by the transboundary wastewater and sewage flows near the Tijuana River Valley. Air purifiers help improve air quality by reducing contaminants and pollutants in a room. Air purifier distribution is currently limited to one per household. Some eligible households may not receive an air purifier due to limited quantities.



Eligibility

Most households in the City of San Diego communities of Otay Mesa West, San Ysidro, Egger Highlands, Nestor, and Tijuana River Valley, and the City of Imperial Beach. See qualifying area below.



Requirements

Eligible households can complete the online application by entering their name and address as well as some information about the occupants in the household. One application per household. In some cases, proof of residency may be required to confirm eligibility.

Distribution

Selected households will receive an air purifier and up to two replacement filters shipped directly to their home address by the manufacturer at no cost. Due to limited quantities, priority consideration will be given to households with children and individuals over 65 years of age, as well as communities closest to the Tijuana River Valley. 

Need Application Help?

Stop by one of the drop-in locations for additional assistance. Staff is available to provide in-person support to help navigate the application process and answer program questions.

The following locations will be available until December 31, 2025. 

Nestor Community Clinic

1016 Outer Rd, San Diego, CA 92154

Monday to Friday, 8AM - 5PM

                     

Border View YMCA South San Diego

3061 Arey Dr, San Diego, CA 92154

Wednesdays, 9AM - 12PM

                                       

Northgate Market

2909 Coronado Ave, San Diego,CA 92154

Last Wednesday of each month, 8AM - 5PM

 

Goodwill Industries - San Ysidro Employment Center

630 Front St, San Ysidro, CA 92173

Tuesdays, 10AM - 2PM

                                                                 

This location will only be available until November 12, 2025. 

Imperial Beach County Library 

810 Imperial Beach Blvd, Imperial Beach, CA 91932

Every other Wednesday, (10/8 - 11/12)

11AM - 2PM

                                         


Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions:

A standalone air purifier is the device that draws in the air within a room to remove contaminants and pollutants. The filter is the device placed inside the air purifier that traps polluting particles and then the air purifier releases cleaner air. Since air filters trap the contaminants and pollutants, it is important to replace filters based on manufacturer guidelines or if the replacement indicator light turns on your air purifier.

All applications must be submitted via our web-based application . To view instructions, refer to our “Informational Documents” section on our website. If you need technical assistance, you can visit one of our drop-in location sites for application help.

Yes. We anticipate a high level of interest in the AIRE program. Those who applied through the County Pilot Program but did not receive an air purifier will receive an email or text asking them to submit an application through the AIRE online application. SDAPCD does not guarantee that all applicants will receive a FREE portable air purifier. IF your application has been approved, you will be notified in a separate communication.

Currently applications are only processed through our online application. If you need help call (858) 586-2779 or email filters@sdapcd.org.

You may also visit one of the drop-in location sites for additional assistance. 

The following locations will be available until December 31, 2025. 

Nestor Community Clinic

1016 Outer Rd, San Diego, CA 92154

Monday to Friday, 8AM - 5PM

                     

Border View YMCA South San Diego

3061 Arey Dr, San Diego, CA 92154

Wednesdays, 9AM - 12PM

                                   

Northgate Market

2909 Coronado Ave, San Diego,CA 92154

Last Wednesday of each month, 8AM - 5PM

 

Goodwill Industries - San Ysidro Employment Center

630 Front St, San Ysidro, CA 92173

Tuesdays, 10AM - 2PM

                                                             

This location will only be available until November 12, 2025. 

Imperial Beach County Library 

810 Imperial Beach Blvd, Imperial Beach, CA 91932

Every other Wednesday, (10/8 - 11/12)

11AM - 2PM

                                         
                                           

At this time, distribution is limited to one device and up to two replacement filters per household. Not all eligible households will receive an air purifier due to limited quantities.
If you would like to purchase an additional air purifier, the California Air Resources Board provides guidance on selecting an air purifier to best fit your needs and a list of California certified devices. To address hydrogen sulfide, look for filters that contain activated carbon and potassium permanganate or the equivalent.

In consultation with state and federal agencies, SDAPCD took into consideration air purifiers that can help address the “rotten egg” odors associated with hydrogen sulfide. The air purifiers provided through the AIRE Program contain High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters with activated carbon, and potassium permanganate, a chemical compound that acts as an oxidizing agent to remove hydrogen sulfide. For the best use of air purifiers, it is recommended by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to create a “clean air room,” view the guidelines here.

All applications will be reviewed and prioritized on a rolling basis. Please allow up to 6 weeks for review and follow up. Not all eligible households will receive an air purifier due to limited quantities.

Given the limited quantity of air purifiers available, as much as practical SDAPCD will prioritize applications from households with children, households with individuals 65 and older, and those neighborhoods closest to the river. Not all eligible households will receive an air purifier.

If your order is lost and requires replacement, you can contact Oransi Customer Service Team Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM EST.

  • Phone: (888) 281-3948
  • Email: cs@oransi.com
  • Live Chat available on their website

Watch Oransi’s easy set up video on You Tube. If you need to replace the filter, you can review the filter replacement video here.

SDAPCD is consistently working with multiple agencies to help address the air quality issues affecting the communities near the Tijuana River Valley. In addition to the AIRE Program, SDAPCD has developed a Community Hydrogen Sulfide Guidance webpage, established a hydrogen sulfide monitoring system, and implemented an odor advisory notification process. These resources are available on our website here: SDAPCD.org/TJRiver.

Online Application Questions: 

If you are unable to apply through our online application, double check your entry for the following:

  • Only residential households are eligible
  • Only one application per residential address will be accepted (households that previously received an air purifier from the AIRE Program or the County’s 2024 Air Purifier Pilot Program are not eligible at this time)
  • All sections with an asterisk (*) are required
  • Each portion of your address should be on a separate line (e.g. house number, street name, street direction, street type, etc.) Double check to ensure you did not combine your entry fields
  • Street type (e.g. avenue, boulevard, way, etc.) should be selected whenever applicable
  • A unit number should be entered if you live in a condo or apartment
  • Address must be located within the boundaries of each eligible zip code
  • Some portions of 92154 and 92173 zip codes are outside of the boundaries

Below are a list of possible application errors and how they may be resolved.

“Invalid Address - The address is not in the system or does not exist”
Please recheck your form make sure each portion of your address is on a separate line (e.g. house number, street name, street direction, street type, etc.) Double check to ensure you did not combine your entry fields. Street type (e.g. avenue, boulevard, way, etc.) should be selected whenever applicable. A unit number should be entered if you live in a condo or apartment.

“Location Not Eligible”
The address you submitted is outside the eligible area – eligible addresses are located within the boundaries of each eligible zip code – some portions of 92154 and 92173 are outside of the boundaries. You can sign up for the interest list by continuing to fill out the application, but you will not currently be eligible for a filter.

“Duplicate Address”
Only one application per residential address is accepted (households that previously received a filter from the AIRE Program or the County’s 2024 Air Purifier Pilot Program are not eligible at this time). A unit number should be entered if you live in a condo or apartment.

“Form Submission Error”
Make sure your application has all the fields filled out and you checked the boxes for the Terms and Conditions and the “I am not a robot” check box.

Those who submitted an application but are outside the current service area can opt to be included on an interest list. If you are on that list, and if the program is expanded your application will be added to the pool of eligible applicants and evaluated at that time.

Only one application per residential address is accepted. A unit number should also be entered if you live in a condo or apartment.

  • If you recently moved to the address entered, please call (858) 586-2779 or email filters@sdapcd.org.
     

For program questions or concerns: call (858) 586-2779 or email filters@sdapcd.org.