The Port of Long Beach is issuing $2.6 million in community grants to local anti-air pollution efforts, which is slated to go toward 32 projects, including air-filtering systems for schools and parks, health education for families with asthma and mobile medical clinics.
The grants include 25 awards – totaling $1.54 million – for schools, preschools and city parks, mostly for indoor air-filtration systems, windows and air-conditioning upgrades that reduce air pollution.
Another seven grants of almost $1.09 million were announced for mobile health units, screening programs and local health education, mainly focusing on asthma. A local health group, area chapters of national health organizations, the City of Long Beach Health and Human Services Department, a local hospital and two clinics received the grants.
“These funds will help students enjoy better air quality in school and at park centers, and will also provide valuable health services – for example health workers will show families who have children with asthma to better cope with the disease, to avoid asthma attacks and trips to the emergency room,” Harbor Commission President Thomas Fields said.
The Port of Long Beach’s community grant programs were established in 2009 as a way to address the cumulative environmental impacts of its redevelopment and modernization projects. Thus far, the port has given out a total of $17.4 million to health organizations, schools, preschools and city parks.
A complete list of award recipients for the latest round of grants can be seen at http://www.polb.com/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=11404. More information on the Port Community Mitigation Grants Program is available at www.polb.com/grants, or by calling (888) 789-GRANT.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
