What are the most common complaints, and how do I file a complaint with the Division for Air Quality?

1. How can I file a complaint?

To file a complaint, contact a regional office in your area. You can also file a complaint with the main office in Frankfort.

2. What is the division's procedure upon receiving a complaint?

Once the division receives your complaint, an inspector from the appropriate regional office will inspect the site. If a violation is found, the inspector will initiate appropriate measures to address the violation(s).

3. Are complaints confidential?

Yes.  The division can keep certain information provided by the complainant confidential.  However, the complainant has to request that confidentiality be maintained.  Otherwise, the information may not be maintained as confidential.  A complainant who does not want to provide a name, phone number or address can request to remain anonymous.  A complainant who requests anonymity does not provide a name or other personal information to division staff.  Division staff record other pertinent information about the complaint in the database.  To allow an anonymous complainant to obtain information about a complaint, division staff will provide the complainant an incident number (the number assigned to the complaint).  The anonymous complainant can then contact the division, provide the incident number and learn about the status or outcome of the complaint investigation.

If the complainant does not want to remain anonymous, then personal information about the complainant is recorded in the database.  This information allows the division to contact the complainant quickly for additional information about the complaint, as needed, or for notification of the outcome of the complaint investigation.   The division does not provide personal data about a complainant when requested by a third party.  However, since such information is recorded in the database, there can be no guarantee that such information may not be released if the division or Department for Environmental Protection is subpoenaed to do so.

4. What information does the division need to act on my complaint?

An inspector needs the following information to act on a complaint:

• The name and location of the alleged source.
• A description of the problem.
• The time when the problem was first observed.
• The frequency of the problem.
• The duration of the problem.
• A description of any illnesses or effects that have resulted from the problem.
• A description of any property damage.
• Any other information the complainant may have that may help the inspector in his/her investigation.

5. What are the most common complaints?

Open burning, various odors and dust complaints are the most common.

6. How may complaints does the division receive in a year?

The division receives about 1,500 complaints a year.