Amid growing concerns regarding air quality in areas of the community impacted by odors and emissions from the Bristol, VA landfill, the City of Bristol, Tennessee has allocated funds to the non-profit United Way of Bristol, TN/VA to provide a select model of air purifier at no cost to City households that meet certain low-and-moderate income eligibility criteria.
“Although this is not a permanent solution that will resolve the larger issue, we hope it will provide some degree of relief for members of our community who continue to suffer from its effects,” said Bristol Tennessee Mayor Mahlon Luttrell. “While the United Way is working directly with eligible residents, please know that the City of Bristol, Tennessee remains firmly committed to learning more about the landfill’s impact on our public health and exploring additional avenues to assist our residents.”
According to manufacturer specifications, the purifier contains a five-speed adjustable fan along with an H13 HEPA filter, an activated carbon filter, as well as a UV light and photocatalytic filter designed to remove volatile organic compounds. Each unit is approximately 13 inches tall, weighs about four pounds and can cover an area of about 1,000 square feet.
Households interested in the program can complete the online air purifier assistance program application at unitedwaybristol.org. A United Way representative will contact applicants for additional eligibility documentation, and those approved will receive information about when and where the unit can be picked up. The initial shipment of units is anticipated to be available the week of Thanksgiving.
For additional program information or questions regarding eligibility criteria, please contact United Way of Bristol, TN/VA at (423) 968-4912 or visit unitedwaybristol.org. For future updates from the City of Bristol, Tennessee regarding the landfill and additional assistance programs that may become available, please visit bristoltn.org/bristolvalandfill.
