The Bay Area Air Quality Management District delivered air filtration units to a homeless shelter in San Francisco’s Bayview district in an effort to clean out dangerous particles in the area.
The trailer park was built as part of San Francisco’s efforts to house the homeless during the pandemic.
However, after finding a solution to one problem, it is facing another — the air at the site is dangerous for people to breathe.
The trailers at Pier 94 are surrounded by a concrete supplier and other industrial buildings, which release dangerous particles into the atmosphere.
“Right behind us, we’ve got some very high piles that are really instrumental in the development of cement and other cement products, and, unfortunately, if they’re not properly maintained, they can be a source of a lot of dust,“ Jack Broadbent, the executive officer for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, said.
He also added that they’re taking more steps to make local industry cut down on the dust in the future.
“When I step out my unit, the dust hit, my eyes water, I sneeze, (and get a) drainy nose,” resident Dewayne Isaacs told KCBS Radio.
He added that even with the bad air, the situation at the trailer park is better than being on the streets.
“As long as I got a roof, I got a shower, I listen to my music, I’m ok,” Isaacs said.
Gwendolyn Westbrook, CEO of the non- profit Mother Brown’s, which runs this site, said despite 100% of clients and staff fully vaccinated, they still mostly wear masks because of the air quality.
She’s hoping the supply of new air purifiers from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District will help inside the trailers at least.
A total of 125 residents live at the shelter, and are provided meals, clothing and laundry service.
Related
