You can help the South Coast AQMD protect public health by letting us know about air quality problems in your community. Air quality complaints may be submitted regarding strong odors, smoke, excessive dust, or other air contaminants.
Despite a business’s best efforts to comply with South Coast AQMD’s air quality rules and requirements, equipment breakdowns and other violations do occur, which can lead to emissions, odors, or other conditions affecting neighboring communities, schools, and families. Reporting air quality complaints helps South Coast AQMD track and address these issues to protect public health.
Air quality complaints can be reported to the South Coast AQMD via:
• Our online complaint system at www.aqmd.gov/complaints;
• Our 1-800-CUT SMOG® (1-800-288-7664) number; or
• Our smartphone app which is available on iOS or Android.
All three options are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our Spanish hotline is also available at 1-800-876-3666.
Be prepared to provide:
1.The date and time of the event.
2.The type of conditions (such as smoke, dust, asbestos, etc.).
3. A description of odors you may detect.
4.The address or location of the suspected source, if possible.
Air quality complaints can be made anonymously, but South Coast AQMD encourages people to provide contact information when reporting. This information helps us request or verify complaint details if needed, and to inform you of the status of our investigation. All information is kept confidential except under very limited and unique circumstances, if required by the California Public Records Act, if requested under a subpoena, or to be used in court proceedings.
Facilities reporting a breakdown should also call the 1-800-CUT SMOG® line. When a facility reports an equipment break down during business hours, they will receive a notification number once entered by staff. After hour calls should be left on the voicemail, following the phone prompts. A new message will notify a standby supervisor who will retrieve the message and return the call.
Facilities may also report notifications related to asbestos, flare events, and oil and gas wells online, with proper login credentials. To file a report, visit https://www.aqmd.gov/nav/online-services/ breakdowns-and-notifications.