San Pedro residents offered free air purifiers

Talk about a breath of fresh air.

Caltrans is handing out free HEPA air purifiers to Southern California residents who could be exposed to dirty air during the upcoming Vincent Thomas Bridge closure.

Households near affected detour routes in Wilmington, San Pedro and surrounding communities can claim one Medify Air MA-40 purifier and three replacement filters while supplies last.

The machines use True HEPA H13 filters designed to trap dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander and other airborne particles — and normally retail for hundreds of dollars.

The giveaway is meant to protect indoor air quality as construction diverts vehicles to nearby streets, potentially bringing traffic and pollution past residents’ homes.

To qualify, applicants must live within 750 feet of an official detour or potential alternate route.

Those areas include stretches of Pacific Coast highway, Anaheim Street, Harry Bridges Boulevard, Alameda Street and Gaffey Street, along with the East I Street interchange.

Caltrans has mailed postcards containing unique registration codes to households believed to be eligible, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn said on Instagram.

Residents must enter the code on the program’s website to confirm their address and reserve a purifier. They will then recieve an email with pickup details.

Proof of residency — such as official mail, a lease, rent receipt or school or work document — is required at pickup, though a photo ID is optional.

the program runs through June 2027, with a reservation and waitlist deadline of May 1.

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