Air Support Project

@airsupportproject.bsky.social

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Air Support Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization aimed at producing low-cost, high-performance air purifiers so that as many people as possible have access to Clean Air. https://linktr.ee/AIRSUPPORTPROJECT

Colorful abstract background with magnified orange rod shaped bacteria. Centered white panel reads “Yes! We can end TB.” Below, text honors World Tuberculosis Day and expresses gratitude for teams expanding access to diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Air Support Project logo at bottom.
Image: The chart shows infection probabilities (%) [y-axis] at different CO2 concentrations in parts per million (ppm) [x-axis] during an outpatient consultation in which the individuals were talking to each other over a period of 15 minutes, in 3 conditions: neither masked, both masked in surgical masks, both masked in N95 respirator masks Data retrieved from: SARS-CoV-2 airborne infection probability estimated by using indoor carbon dioxide (2023). | CC BY- ND 4.0
Cancer under the lens of the ongoing pandemic and clean air Sunday, Feb 22, 2026 12 noon ET / 5pm GMT Zoom With special guests Ruth Brooker of Clean Air for Kids UK, and Arijit Chakravarty, COVID educator
Graphic for Heart Month. Text at top reads “February is Heart Month.” Center text states “27% of global heart disease deaths are related to air pollution.” Background shows scattered red paper hearts on a dark surface. In the middle is a blue cartoon heart character with a worried expression. Bottom text reads “Air Support Project” with logo.
Alt text: Graphic on a dark red background featuring a large white quote box outlined in black quotation marks. The quote states that Black people are often more likely to be ill with long COVID and often lack the money or privilege to retire or stop working, so they must return to work. Below the quote is text reading “Chimére L. Sweeney, Founder and Director of The Black Long COVID Experience.” To the right is the cover image for “Black Long COVID Experience,” showing illustrated faces of Black individuals. At the bottom, a black banner reads “Source: Sager, May 2025, Capital B News.”
Alt text: Purple awareness graphic for World Aspergillosis Day, dated February 3, 2026. A diagonal film strip shows three images, a close up of Aspergillus mold spores, an illustration of lungs with fungal spots, and decomposing organic matter in soil. Text reads “World Aspergillosis Day. Raising awareness for early detection and care.” The Air Support Project logo appears at the bottom.
Graphic titled Is Your Home Ready for Winter with a seven step list. Steps include sealing door and window gaps, insulating walls and attic, scheduling a chimney inspection, testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, venting fireplaces and gas stoves outdoors, using MERV-13 HVAC filters, and running a high-CADR air purifier in occupied rooms. Blue background with Air Support Project logo at the bottom.
Promotional graphic for CleanAirNight with a white cloud and crescent moon icon against a starry night sky. Text reads CleanAirNight, 22 January 2026, and Save the date for CleanAirNight. Logos for Air Support Project, Global Action Plan, and Impact on Urban Health appear at the bottom.
Graphic with a blue and purple background and floating circles. Large white text reads, “The time is always right to do what is right.” Below, the quote is attributed to Martin Luther King Jr. At the bottom, Air Support Project’s logo and name appear.
2026 development timeline. Iterative Refinement. Design and performance adjustments informed by user testing, environmental data, and feedback from community partners. Tooling and Manufacturing Setup. Creation of molds, dies, and production tooling required for large scale manufacturing. Pilot Batch Production. Production of an initial manufacturing run to validate assembly processes, quality control, and materials selection. Testing and Certification. Completion of AHAM, CARB, and UL certification processes to ensure compliance and safety. Field Deployment in High-Risk Settings. Delivery of units to selected schools, shelters, and congregate spaces for real world evaluation
50% in neon rainbow text
Double your impact. 4 days left (of our end-of-the-year fundraiser)
Donors can support Air Support Project via the following: Air Support Project 53 W Jackson Blvd Ste 1734 Chicago, IL 60604 EIN 99-3669147 DAF: Fidelity Charitable Guidestar | melissa@airsupportproject.com
We are deeply grateful to our donors and volunteers at Air Support Project. Your time, care, and expertise power this work, from thoughtful problem solving to steady behind the scenes support. Because of your commitment, clean indoor air becomes more achievable for the communities who need it most. Thank you for standing with us and for the impact you make every day.
Partners. Public Health Action Network Balvi/Kanro Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation Maryland Indoor Air Quality Advocates llinois StakeHolders for Air Quality in Schools Open Source Medical Supplies Clean Air Events Indoor Air Care Advocates Operation Outbreak Clean Air for Kids UK Safer Air Project Change the Air Foundation Air Club Maricopa County Heat Relief Network Smart Air Defense World Ventil8 Day
2026 development timeline. Iterative Refinement. Design and performance adjustments informed by user testing, environmental data, and feedback from community partners. Tooling and Manufacturing Setup. Creation of molds, dies, and production tooling required for large scale manufacturing. Pilot Batch Production. Production of an initial manufacturing run to validate assembly processes, quality control, and materials selection. Testing and Certification. Completion of AHAM, CARB, and UL certification processes to ensure compliance and safety. Field Deployment in High-Risk Settings. Delivery of units to selected schools, shelters, and congregate spaces for real world evaluation
2025 MILESTONES. Benchmark Testing. Airflow and sound testing on competitive units and potential component parts to optimize build. Proposed Designs. Eleven candidate designs were presented using 4, 3, and 2 filters, and both PC and radiator fans. Alpha Prototype We ended up going with a triangular 3-filter design for VELLO to optimize airflow, cost, and room placement. VELLO Alpha Testing Airflow and sound testing conducted on the VELLO Alpha Prototype gave us 450 cfm at 60 dB on medium.
Thanks to a generous initial donation from Balvi/Kanro, we were able to bring VELLO from an idea to a physical Alpha prototype in 2025. [Expanded image of the VELLO Alpha prototype showing all of its parts, including the fan face, skeleton, and multi-layer filters. Low: 162 cfm/40 dB. Medium: 240cfm/48db. High: 450cfm/60 db. Max: 580 cfm/67 db.
Community COLLABORATION highlight. Air Support Project worked with the Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation and the Maricopa County Heat Relief Network this summer to build Corsi-Rosenthal Boxes for cooling and respite centers. We built 12 boxes for sites that provide over 1,000 people per week with water, air conditioning and a place to escape the Arizona summer heat. Extreme heat: A public health crisis. Phoenix, Arizona is notorious for its summer heat. In the months of June, July and August, temperatures soar to over 110 degrees in the day, while remaining above 90 degrees at night - a side effect of Phoenix’s urban heat island.. This extreme heat can turn deadly for Phoenix’s most vulnerable residents; such as unhoused people, those who do not have air conditioning, and elderly and disabled individuals who cannot tolerate the heat. The Heat Relief Network was created to give people safe places to go to hydrate and escape the heat. At the same time that vulnerable people are gathering indoors to escape the heat, the COVID-19 pandemic rages on - with the same people most vulnerable to the heat also being at the highest risk of serious illness, Long COVID, and death from contracting COVID-19. Cleaning the air in congregate spaces such as heat relief sites with tools such as air purifiers is crucial for keeping people safe and stopping one public health crisis from becoming two.
As VELLO moves through development phases, Air Support Project maintains robust community engagement through Twitter Spaces, website, and newsletters. We host bi-monthly Twitter Spaces on clean air and public health-related topics in partnership with the Public Health Action Network, Our spaces attract an average of 200 attendees, and have featured some amazing guests with a wide range of backgrounds and expertise. TOp 4 spaces of 2025. IAQ and COVID Advocacy. Far UVC. H5N1 and Emerging Flu Variants. LA Wildfire Relief
Top 5 blogs of 2025. UN CLEAN AIR EVENT. The UN Clean Air Summit was a landmark event for clean air advocates everywhere, being the first coordinated, international effort to establish healthy indoor air as a human right, and to push for a global indoor air quality standard to guide action on this crucial issue. FILTERING THE FUTURE. MERV-13 filters offer a balanced solution, providing effective filtration at higher airflow rates, making them suitable for DIY air purifiers. Research shows that MERV-13-based purifiers can clean room airthree times faster than HEPA units by leveraging multiple passes of air through the filter. RADON. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause overall in the U.S., with the National Center Institute attributing 15,000 to 22,000 deaths per year to the long-term health impacts of indoor radon exposure. MICROPLASTICS & THE BRAIN. In just eight years, plastic particles in human brains have surged by 50 %, and COVID-19’s assault on the blood-brain barrier may be helping them slip inside. POLLEN. Pollen is an air-quality issue as much as it is a clinical one, and the forces reshaping weather are shifting when, where, and how much pollen is in the air. This guide explains what pollen is, how it affects health, and practical ways to reduce exposure.
Software Projects. Airwareness. A browser based, open-source indoor air quality simulator that helps communities evaluate ventilation strategies, assess risk, and model interventions.. Open Air Scholar. An open-source curated research library that distills complex clean air science into accessible summaries for educators, health workers, and the public. Kuki Critters. A Tamagotchi-style air quality education tool that combines environmental sensing with playful design to raise clean air awareness and encourage simple actions that improve indoor air quality. Kuki Critters is an open-source project targeting the middle school and high school STEM research community, with potential to become a commercially marketed product.
Air Support Project advances its mission through a combination of product innovation, public health tools, and community support initiatives. Our modular, flat-pack, high CADR air purifier designed for affordability, rapid assembly, and the use of non-proprietary MERV-13 and carbon filters. VELLO addresses structural barriers to clean air adoption by offering an accessible, durable, high performance device intended for widespread distribution. Designed to be open-source, VELLO will welcome product iterations from clean air science experts.
Across the United States, communities face rising threats from airborne hazards including respiratory pathogens, wildfire smoke, particulate pollution, mold, and chemical contaminants. Schools, shelters, libraries, and other congregate settings are among the most vulnerable because large numbers of people share the same indoor air for extended periods of time. These environments often lack adequate ventilation systems and cannot afford the high cost of commercial air purifiers, especially those capable of achieving the high clean air delivery rates (CADR) required for meaningful protection. Existing purifiers frequently fall short in ways that disproportionately harm low income and high risk communities. Many units rely on proprietary filters that are expensive and difficult to replace. Others are too loud for continuous use in classrooms or clinics. Some are too costly to purchase in sufficient quantities to meet air exchange needs. As a result, millions of people continue to breathe unhealthy air in spaces where infection risk and environmental exposure can have long term health consequences. At the same time, there is a growing national awareness of the importance of clean indoor air for controlling infectious disease transmission, improving cognitive performance, reducing absenteeism, and protecting medically vulnerable populations. Communities want practical tools but lack scalable solutions that are affordable, certifiable, and easy to maintain. VELLO was created to meet this need. By delivering a high performance, high CADR purifier that uses inexpensive non-proprietary carbon and MERV-13 filters and assembles quickly without tools, VELLO removes key financial and logistical barriers that prevent communities from adopting effective clean air practices.
Air Support Project is an Illinois 501(c)(3) dedicated to making clean indoor air accessible to every community. We believe that clean air is a right, not a privilege. We fulfill this mission by creating open-source tools and products that increase access to safer air, with an emphasis on shared indoor public spaces. VELLO, our modular high-CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) air purifier, is a central part of our mission. Designed with a flat-pack form, rapid toolless assembly, and multi-layer filtration using non-proprietary MERV-13 and carbon filters, VELLO delivers powerful air cleaning performance at an accessible price point while meeting AHAM, CARB, and UL certification requirements. VELLO is currently in the Alpha prototype stage. We are soliciting funding to purchase the tooling and manufacturing required to move VELLO into commercial production. This support will launch an affordable purifier that offers up to 560 cfm (cubic feet per minute) of clean air and the lowest cost-per CADR on the market, using non-proprietary filters users can replace at low-cost.  Once in production, VELLO will support a sustainable clean air access model. Revenue from commercial unit sales will fund Air Support Project’s administrative and operating costs, while government grants, private philanthropic support and community partnerships will allow us to provide free or subsidized purifiers to schools, shelters, and other high risk congregate settings that face repeated airborne threats from COVID-19, influenza, wildfire smoke, particulate pollution, and mold contamination. This structure ensures that communities with constrained budgets can adopt long-term air safety strategies. In addition to spearheading VELLO development, Air Support Project creates open-source, easy-to-use clean air science tools and maintains robust engagement with advocacy discussions centering public health access, clean air science, and health equity for marginalized communities. Because we combine rigor…
Air Support Project is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to making clean indoor air accessible to everyone. Our mission is to deliver affordable, science backed air quality solutions to homes, classrooms, shelters, libraries, and other congregate spaces where people face the greatest risks from airborne illness, pollution, and environmental hazards. We envision a future where clean air is as expected as clean water, and where every community has the tools to protect health through effective ventilation and filtration.
Cover page for our annual report
Alt text: Green graphic with horizontal gradient lines. Large white text reads, “Small acts of care add up to safer indoor air for more people.” Air Support Project’s logo and name appear at the bottom.
Graphic with the headline “Double Your Impact.” Text states that Air Support Project is moving from an alpha prototype to a polished beta version in 2026 with a manufacturing pipeline. The Hello Vello logo appears. Below, a computer screen displays the Givebutter fundraiser page showing an end of year campaign for Air Support Project with a donation progress bar and recent donations.
Alt text: Colorful graphic reading “Tis the season to update HVAC filters,” with repeated text “MERV 13” and “Deck the halls with high CADR air purifiers.” Air Support Project logo appears at the bottom on a yellow band.
Graphic for Air Support Project's 2025 Annual Report
A square promotional graphic that reads “Clean indoor air is a human right.” Below it are the event details “12/11/2025,” “8P EST,” and “X Spaces.” At the bottom is an image of colorful powder exploding against a black background. Logos for PHAN, Public Health Action Network, and Air Support Project appear in the lower corners.
Alt text: Graphic with the United Nations Human Rights logo and the words Our Everyday Essentials at the top. On each side, blue panels read Clean indoor air is a human right on the left and Air Support Project on the right. In the center, a multilevel house illustration shows people working, resting, gathering, caring for children, reading, cooking, and playing. Surrounding elements include farmland, a road with a vehicle, water with a sailboat, and a fish.
A graphic with a red background on the left showing the text ‘Your indoor air quality directly impacts your health.’ On the right is a black-and-white illustration of a snowman inside a snow globe. Along the bottom is a green banner with Air Support Project's logo and name.
Join our Twitter Space on Thurs, Nov 20, with guest speakers Kyle Stevens of Clean Air Events in Seattle, WA, and Far-UVC advocate Tania Powers to learn how Far-UVC works to kill airborne viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
Graphic for World Pneumonia Day, November 12, featuring stylized human lungs surrounded by illustrated germs on a dark background with radiating light rays. Text below reads: “Child Survival, the theme for World Pneumonia Day 2025, in recognition that pneumonia is the leading infectious cause of child death.” Air Support Project logo appears at the bottom.
Promotional poster for an event titled “Oncogenesis and COVID-19” organized by the Public Health Action Network (PHAN) and Air Support Project. The background shows a microscopic image of cells in red and blue tones. The event is scheduled for November 13, 2025, at 8 PM EST on X Spaces. The description explains that COVID-19 may promote oncogenesis (cancer formation) by disrupting immune function, triggering chronic inflammation, and altering cell-regulating pathways such as p53 and Rb, potentially increasing cancer risk. It invites viewers to listen to the conversation or email to suggest a speaker.
Promotional graphic for an event titled “The Connection Between IAQ and COVID Advocacy.” On the left, text appears over a soft pink and blue gradient background. On the right, two overlapping circles—one gray and one teal—symbolize connection and collaboration. Lower section includes event details: “Hosted by Public Health Action Network and Air Support Project. Thursday, October 16th at 8 PM EST.” A website link for more information is also shown: www.airsupportproject.com/spaces
Promotional image for National Indoor Air Quality Month
Banner for World Ventil8 Day, with this year's theme of "Collaborate to Ventilate".
Announcement for Healthy Indoor Air: A Global Call to Action 2025 High-Level Side Event at the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly 23 September 2025, 3:30-5:30 PM ET, United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY Global leaders, policymakers, scientists, and health experts will gather to showcase best practices, scientific innovation, and inspire global collaboration on Healthy Indoor Air.
Colorful event flyer with clouds of powder paint in purple, teal, orange, and pink at the top and bottom. Large headline reads “AIRBORNE PATHOGENS, IAQ, AND SCHOOLS.” Subtext: “This event is a Twitter/X Space.” Date and time: “Thursday, September 18th @8P EST.” Bottom shows logos: Air Support Project and PHAN (Public Health Action Network).
A promotional graphic for “Clean Air Shirts” from Air Support Project. The banner has a blue and orange split background with four T-shirts displayed: A tie-dye shirt with a cube design and the words “Filter the Future.” A white ringer shirt with black sleeves that says “Gamers for Clean Air” with fan icons. A blue shirt with a green cube and the text “Clean Air Fanclub.” A white ringer shirt with red trim featuring four red circle icons with slashes and the words “Clean the Air.”
Air pollution is the second leading risk factor for death, causing around 8.1 million premature deaths annually.
At the top, it shows a promotional flyer for an online discussion titled “Pathogen Tracking, IAQ, Data, and Policy” hosted by Air Support Project, PHAN, Open Source Medical Supplies, Michael Olesen of icemsg.org, and The Safer Air Project. The flyer notes the event is scheduled for Thursday, September 4th at 9 PM EST / 6 PM PST / 1 AM GMT / 11 AM AEST. Below the flyer, the LinkedIn event listing shows: “ ASP Twitter Space - Pathogen Tracking, IAQ, Data…” with a description about monitoring indoor air quality, modeling outbreaks, and defending public health.
Vello, a three-sided MERV-13 air purifier based on the Corsi-Rosenthal Box
A glamour shot of Vello, a triangular, MERV 13-based powerhouse of an air purifier
A person with short brown hair, glasses, and a teal respirator posing next to a Corsi-Rosenthal Box
There's something in the air tonight... (Graphic of fireworks labelled 'PM 2.5', 'Sulfur Dioxide' and 'Heavy Metals') Turn on those air purifiers!
“A Dual Disaster Plan: COVID-19 and Wildfire Smoke” Adjust HVAC Settings: Upgrade to MERV-13 filters; set HVAC to ON mode; recirculate indoor air. Add HEPA Purifiers and CR-Boxes: filter wildfire smoke and SARS-CoV-2 Safe Indoor Spaces: designate a smoke-free room and a separate COVID-19 isolation room; avoid outdoor ventilation; mask in common areas. Activities: avoid outdoor activity; change masks and clothing; choose indoor low-risk activities like board games, movies, phone or video calls. Respirators: use N95, KF94, or KN95 outdoors and with non-household or exposed members; pediatric sizes available for ages 2 and up. Ventilate When Air Quality Improves: when the Air Quality Index shows safe levels, open windows or use mechanical ventilation. Prepare Ahead: stock N95 respirators, MERV-13 HVAC filters, and portable filtration devices; consult a healthcare provider about COVID-19 medications and emergency symptoms.
Infographic describing the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat Exhaustion - Faint or dizzy - Excessive sweating - Cool, pale, clammy skin - Nausea or vomiting - Rapid, weak pulse - Muscle cramps - Get to a cooler, air conditioned place Heat Stroke - Throbbing headache - No sweating - Body temperature above 103 - Red, hot, dry skin - Nausea or vomiting - Rapid, strong pulse - May lose consciousness - CALL 911!
Flooding Tips For Your Home Secure Your Home - Reinforce windows, doors, and roofs to withstand hurricane-force winds. Install storm shutters or board up windows with plywood. Prepare for Flooding - Use sandbags and other barriers to redirect water away from your property. Elevate electrical appliances and store valuables in waterproof containers.
Infographic – “How to Create a Wildfire-Smoke-Free Space.” Choose a Space - It should be big enough to fit everyone in your household, including pets, and comfortable enough to spend time in. A bedroom or living room with an attached bathroom is a good choice. Stop Smoke from Entering - Close all windows and doors in the room. If there is an exhaust fan or range hood in the clean room space, only use it for short periods. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal any cracks or gaps in the windows or doors. HVAC Settings - Turn your HVAC system to the "ON" setting so that it constantly recirculates and filters the air. Upgrade your HVAC filters to MERV 13 or the highest MERV rating that is compatible with your system. Create you own Smoke-Free Space - When the Air Quality Index (AQI) is high, everyone benefits from a smoke-free space. It's especially important for individuals at greater risk from smoke exposure. No one should breathe toxic wildfire smoke. Although it is good advice to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke by sheltering indoors, smoke can infiltrate indoor spaces, so it is important to take action to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) Filter the Air - Use a portable air cleaner that is the right size for the room. Run the portable air cleaner continuously on the highest fan setting if you can. You may opt for a do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaner known as the Corsi-Rosenthal Box. Plan for Activities - Plan for WFH, online school, and fun activities like movies, games, and reading books to make the time spent indoors more enjoyable. Avoid smoking, candles, or cooking. Respirators - If smoke enters the room or you need to go outdoors, wear an N95 mask or appropriate well-fitting respirator for wildfires. When outdoor air quality improves to safe levels, as can be assessed by the Air Quality Index (AQI), then we encourage you, once again, to ventilate your home by opening windows and/or using the mechanical ventilation to exchange indoor and outdoor air.