SE Valley Times

As wildfires continue to affect Los Angeles, the health risks from smoke particles and toxic gases are a growing concern for residents. Liesl McConchie, a board member of the Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation, took swift action to address these dangers by deploying air filters to protect thousands of at-risk individuals.

McConchie, along with her colleagues, including Megan Jehn, an epidemiologist and professor at Arizona State University, initiated a rapid response plan to create and distribute DIY Corsi-Rosenthal air filters. Over the past two weeks, the foundation has constructed 1,150 air filters using $30,000 in supplies and 1,000 MERV13 furnace filters donated by 3M. The public also contributed nearly $10,000 through a campaign on the foundation's website.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends DIY filters as "a cost-effective approach to improving indoor air quality during wildfire smoke events." These filters can be easily assembled from materials available at hardware stores.

Jehn is involved in ASU’s Clean Indoor Air Project and is part of a team that received an EPA grant last year aimed at enhancing community preparedness for wildfire smoke. “Wildfires have increased in size and frequency in the Western U.S. due to our changing climate,” Jehn stated. “We have simple tools available, including DIY air cleaners, that can be used to mitigate the health impacts of these events in communities that are most vulnerable.”

Jehn has been working with the Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation on logistics to improve air quality for households and community buildings affected by wildfires in Southern California.

McConchie transformed her San Diego backyard into an assembly line with help from family and volunteers to produce 650 air filters for Los Angeles. “The last two weeks have been a total whirlwind,” McConchie remarked. She described how her home became a makeshift factory as she delivered supplies across LA.

Simultaneously, Joaquín Beltrán from the LA-based Action, Care, Equity Coalition was supported by the foundation with materials to build another 500 air filters. Beltrán organized his own volunteer production line within a car dealership.

Through their combined efforts, over 1,000 air filters were distributed within 12 days to emergency shelters and other vulnerable locations across Los Angeles.

The Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation was established by Rich Corsi and Jim Rosenthal. While continuing its wildfire response efforts, it primarily focuses on providing air filters to schools to reduce exposure to harmful airborne particles.

“We’re glad that we were able to provide so many air filters to areas heavily impacted by wildfire in Los Angeles,” said Rosenthal. He emphasized the importance of clean indoor air for health and highlighted affordable solutions like Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes.