The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District Clean Air for All Newsletter - October 2025

SDAPCD Receives Platinum Tier Award from SANDAG

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD) was awarded SANDAG’s Platinum Tier award at this year’s Diamond Awards reception. SDAPCD was recognized for its continued efforts of improving air quality and helping to promote sustainable commuter choices in the workplace.

SDAPCD was one of 50 other San Diego based organizations that received the platinum award. As part of our vision of Clean Air for All, we strive to adopt sustainable solutions with the implementation of a hybrid schedule for employees, as vehicles are one of the largest sources of air pollutants in San Diego County.

AIRE Program

Applications for SDAPCD’s Air Improvement Relief Effort (AIRE) Program remain open with limited availability.

The AIRE program provides free air purifiers to South Bay residents impacted by the odors emitting from the Tijuana River Valley. To date, air purifiers have been provided to over 7,000 households within the eligible program area. The air purifiers help improve indoor air quality by filtering the “rotten egg” smell caused by hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a gas produced by wastewater and sewage flows.

Staff will be available at the following locations to assist with application registration and answer questions about the program:

Available until 11/12/25

Available until 12/31/25

Air Purifiers for Schools & Daycare Facilities within AIRE Eligible Boundaries

SDAPCD is expanding its air purifier distribution efforts for South Bay communities impacted by the wastewater and sewage smells by using a portion of the remaining funds allocated to the Air Improvement Relief Effort (AIRE) program to provide air purifiers to schools and daycare centers.

The AIRE program currently offers free air purifiers to eligible 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.

Providing air purifiers to schools can help reduce the lingering hydrogen sulfide odors that occur in the early morning while children are in school.

Efforts are currently underway, and air purifiers are estimated to be distributed to schools in the coming months.

SDAPCD's Governing Board Adopts Rule 67.26 - Commercial Charbroiling Operations

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District's Governing Board has adopted Rule 67.26 – Commercial Charbroiling Operations. Rule 67.26 will help reduce emissions of PM2.5 (Particulate Matter) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Rule 67.26 applies to all chain-driven charbroilers commonly used in fast food restaurants throughout San Diego County. The rule is estimated to reduce 14 tons of PM 2.5, and 4.5 tons of VOCs each year.