DIY filter/fan projects in Seattle Erik Saganić Air Quality Scientist March 2018
Duwamish Community Action for Clean Air The group formed as a result of an EPA EJ Cooperative Agreement awarded to the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition Georgetown Community Council South Park Neighborhood Association American Lung Association Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition/Technical Advisory Group Just Health Action Public Health – Seattle and King County Puget Sound Clean Air Agency U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Western Washington University
DIY filter/fans Assembled in coordination with youth programs in planned community workshops All supplies cost about $50
Why filter/fans? Original intent was to mitigate the diesel pollution in the industrial valley and near the freeways Extra bonus: was used during the wildfire smoke last summer Before After
How to build
Testing plan 4 houses Air monitors inside and outside the houses Measured for: Fine particles Black carbon (a diesel exhaust surrogate)
Control: no filter equipment
Filter/fan running 24-hours a day
During wildfire smoke event
Youth program also performed demo tests with air monitors with the community
Cons Fans are not UL tested for this use, so we recommend not using while sleeping or away from home Doesn’t help with the windows open (and is typically hot when we have lots of wildfire smoke) Not as effective in large spaces (rooms without doors, etc) Bulky and has lots of storage and transportation constraints Also lots of cardboard waste generated
Pros Relatively cheap and easy Involves community in air quality awareness Lots of continuing interest in more fans