File photo.
Back in 2019 BC (Before COVID), most of us didn’t think much about the virus-riddled air we were breathing. Now, the idea that personal protective equipment like facemasks can help us avoid airborne pathogens is pretty well agreed upon.
Not convinced masks work? No problem. The folks at Clean Air Cville want to help us all breathe cleaner air.
In January 2024, the outreach organization distributed its first round of air filters and PPE: KN95 masks to a local business and a school, N95s to a health-care facility, and an air purification device to a residence. Clean Air Cville deployed its Clean Air Cart, a rolling collection of air filters, about a month later.
Since those early days, the organization has provided air-quality monitors, air purifiers, and masks/respirators to individuals and organizations all around Charlottesville. Organizers also hold regular community meetings, not only to spread the gospel of clean air, but also to hand out supplies, templates, and guidance for DIY air filtration solutions.
Today, the group also provides bespoke Clean Air Carts—clients give the dimensions of their meeting space, and the organization brings “enough filters to reach six air changes per hour, the new standard recommended by many public health agencies, including the CDC.”
