Spokane, WA – The local non-profit 350 Spokane is providing 60 box-fan air filters to patients with respiratory health conditions impacted by the region’s poor air quality.   With support from The Home Depot Foundation’s Community Impact Grant program, 350 Spokane will provide free box fans and high-quality air filters for low-income individuals with respiratory health conditions who are at-risk for complications during unhealthy air quality events.

Spokane, Washington has experienced a rising number of poor and hazardous air quality days in recent years due to increasing wildfire smoke during summer months. Many older homes in our area are poorly sealed and lack air-filtration systems.  This leads to poor air quality and high levels of dangerous ultra-small PM 2.5 particulate matter in indoor air which can lead to asthma attacks, and other health emergencies, particularly among at-risk individuals.  DIY box fan filters provide effective air filtration at a low cost, particularly in homes that lack other air circulation systems.  

Working with social workers at three local health centers and other volunteers, 350 Spokane will distribute the kits.  Participants in this pilot program will be identified by care providers and medical social workers. Each kit includes a 20-inch box fan and 2 MERV 13 20×20 air filters.  For a demo of how the kits are assembled, consult this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qr1Aj6Di7w&t=3s 

Climate change is a key contributing factor to the recent  increase in wildfires and wildfire smoke.  “Climate change is not just a global issue that hurts people in far away places.  People in Eastern Washington are also suffering from the effects of human-caused climate change,” said 350 Spokane Board Member, Rebecca MacMullan. “We urgently need to both reduce climate pollution and increase our community’s resilience at the same time. These DIY air filters can help people today.”

As a Board Member of 350 Spokane and a pediatric pulmonologist, Dr. Pragya Rai is very supportive of the effort. “ Everyone needs to take measures to protect themselves from hazardous air conditions. These simple DIY air purifiers, when used with caution, can help improve indoor air quality especially during wildfires when PM2.5 levels are high ,” explained Dr Rai.