Wild fires are spreading across Oregon, causing air quality to reach unhealthy measures up to 200 particulate levels in the Portland metro area. In areas hit hardest by the fires, particulate levels were off the scale, rising above 500. While battling a pandemic and navigating exposures to tear gas, we now face yet another respiratory risk. 

Affecting your eyes, nose, throat, and heart, smoke particles enter the system and imbed in your lungs. This can weaken the immune system and increase a person’s susceptibility for COVD-19. It’s also been found to make matters worse for those currently battling the disease, *with one study finding those who live in heavy air pollution more likely to die from the novel coronavirus. To offset the effects of smoke pollution, Oregon Health Authority suggests running a high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) or an electrostatic precipitator (ESP). 

In an effort to provide aid I am independently raising money to distribute air purifiers to high risk individuals in the Portland area. In this case, high risk individuals are defined as those who are financially compromised with pre-existing health conditions and/or currently battling COVID-19. Immigrants, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ individuals will be prioritized, but this is not a stipulation. 

No questions will be asked, just a request for a brief blurb about why you are in need. I will follow up to get your full name and address for delivery. If you do not live in the Portland area but are in need, please reach out and we can figure out accommodations.  

I have provided links of researched air purifiers that met a brief criteria of efficiency and affordability. If we can distribute even 10 air purifiers, that’s 10 people and countless family members and friends with a little peace of mind. 

As money comes in I will be checking in with those who have requested purifiers what their needs are. Efficiency of some air purifiers are determined by square footage, so systems will be selected depending on availability and individual needs. I will be posting receipts on this page every step of the way for transparency. Any left over funds that do not meet the price of a purifier will be used to buy N95 masks for distribution. 

Please share and reach out if you know someonein need. 

Citations: 

air pollution monitoring website 

Pollution study and covid death rates study from Harvard 

Oregon Live wildfire health risks info 


purifiers: 
Bissell Purifier 
Purezone purifier 
levoit HEPA purifier 

photo from the Willamette Weekly