(AGENPARL) – mar 23 gennaio 2024 Issued: Jan 23, 2024 (11:59am EST)
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Colorado to reduce indoor air pollution in schools, public buildings from
wildfire smoke events through EPA grant
State to receive $1.89M for community wildfire smoke preparedness projects
DENVER –?The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to
award $10.76 million in grant funding to nine selected recipients across the
country to enhance community wildfire smoke preparedness. Of these recipients,
the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is
anticipating a $1,895,705 grant to design a state-wide program for wildfire
smoke awareness and preparation. 
CDPHE will use the EPA funds to provide outreach, education, and training for
local community partners on how to prepare for, and respond to, the public
health threat of wildfire smoke. This includes leveraging the Clean Air for
Schools program, which provides air cleaners and indoor air quality monitors
to K-12 schools, where CDPHE will partner with local communities to develop
response plans for wildfire smoke events. Some of the expected outcomes
include Smoke Readiness Plans, providing technical training on ventilation and
filtration strategies, preparing school buildings to serve as Community
Cleaner Air Shelters, and enabling indoor air quality monitoring in public
school buildings to understand wildfire smoke impacts and evaluate effective
responses.  With more than 880,000 kids enrolled in Colorado public schools,
developing wildfire smoke preparedness programs improves indoor air quality
and reduces public health risks for many students. 
“Colorado is no stranger to wildfires, and now more than ever, communities
who once seemed unlikely to experience wildfire are now front line
communities,” said EPA Regional Administrator KC Becker. “This grant will
provide important resources to communities to build awareness and develop
plans for wildfire smoke events that will protect public health and save
lives.” 
Additional states in EPA Region 8 receiving funding for wildfire smoke
preparedness include Montana and Utah, which will be awarded to their public
health entities: 
 Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has been selected to
receive $610,000 to engage a variety of partners to increase wildfire smoke
awareness, create and pilot a clean air shelter recognition program in six
communities for easy replication in other high need areas, create culturally
appropriate and tailored messaging on wildfire smoke and air quality, and
provide training to building and facility managers on HVAC maintenance and
importance of good indoor air quality. 
Utah Department of Environmental Quality has been selected to receive
$854,609 to enhance communities’ resilience to wildfire smoke by deploying
indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and CO2 sensors at public schools, developing air
quality alerts, and distributing air cleaners and filters to public schools,
preschools and residents in target underserved areas. 
Wildfire smoke is a significant public health problem, especially in western
states like Colorado. Smoke plumes can adversely affect a large portion of our
population, with health impacts ranging from eye and throat irritation, to
asthma attacks, cardiovascular events, and even premature death. Local
officials often advise people to stay indoors during a smoke event. However,
some of the smoke from outdoors can enter homes and buildings and can also
make indoor air hazardous to breathe. Because buildings vary in their design
and construction, they also vary in their levels of protection against
wildfire smoke.  
These grants are provided under Section 103(b)(3) of the Clean Air Act as
supplemented by authority provided in the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act
and the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act to fund abatement activities. 
Learn more about these grants. 
Learn more about?Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality. 
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