Cleveland Division of Air Quality Enforcement staff ensures compliance of industrial and commercial air pollution sources within Cuyahoga County that are regulated by Ohio EPA. The Enforcement section responds to resident complaints regarding outdoor air quality; inspects regulated sources; and regulates asbestos abatement and demolition activities in Cuyahoga County for sources that are subject to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for asbestos.
To research the compliance history of a facility, go to EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online website. You can also investigate pollution sources, examine and create enforcement-related maps, or explore your state's performance.
Resident Complaints
Resident complaints can be submitted by phone 24 hours a day/seven days a week at (216) 664-7442 or through the online submission form. After you submit a complaint, an inspector will contact you to gather more details about your air quality concern. The more details you can provide will help the inspector identify the source of your concern. Please include information such as the time of day that the concern is happening, if it is a new concern, if it is intermittent or occurring all the time, and any additional details you may have. All complaints are investigated within 1-5 business days. Examples of some of the types of complaints we investigate are below.
Drag out of debris and dirt onto public roadways
Dry Cutting concrete without watering or controlling the dust
Resident can become involved in collecting data for a complaint by participating in the Resident's Air Monitoring Project. The resident will be provided an air collection canister and trained on how to use it. This collection canister is best used when trying to identify odors that occur off hours and is for outdoor air samples. This enables the resident to collect an air quality sample that will be analyzed through a lab at Ohio EPA.
Open Burning
Open burning is anytime a fire is lit outdoors. The City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio have adopted rules that place limitations what can/cannot be burned in order to protect residents from exposure to smoke. There are a few exceptions to the rules and permits can be obtained in certain circumstances. The following materials can never be burned in Cuyahoga County: yard waste, materials containing rubber and/or other types of petroleum products, pressure treated or painted wood, garbage of any kind, and dead animals.
Burning yard waste and tree trimmings
Dumpster Fire
City of Cleveland Open Burning Rules
Ohio’s Vehicle Anti-Tampering Law
CDAQ Enforcement staff investigate allegations of vehicle emission control system tampering in Cuyahoga County which is illegal under Ohio Revised Code (ORC) 3704.16. For details about prohibited actions and common questions for automobile dealerships, consumers, and mechanics, visit Ohio EPA’s website.
Catalytic converter removed and replace on diesel truck
Exhaust gas recirculation deleted on diesel truck
Asbestos Regulation
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that occurs in rock and soil and has been used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire retardant. The type of building materials that it has been used in includes roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, attic and wall insulation, and more. Exposure to asbestos has multiple health impacts such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. To protect human health, there are federal laws and regulations to that govern the handling of materials that might contain asbestos.
Demolition and Renovation
If a facility is being demolished or renovated and it may contain asbestos material, the owner /operator and the Asbestos Contractor must submit a notification to Ohio EPA.
Instructions for submitting an asbestos notification
What Asbestos Removal Contractors Need to Know
What Building Owners and Municipalities Need to Know About Ohio’s Asbestos Removal Rules
What Landfills Need to Know About Ohio’s Asbestos Removal Rules
To read specific rules that regulate asbestos, visit the links below:
OAC Rule 3745-20 Asbestos Emission Control
OAC Rule 3745-22 Asbestos Hazard Abatement Contractors, Specialists & Other Professionals
29 CFR: Safety and Health Regulations for Construction, Subpart Z – Toxic and Hazardous Substances
40 Part 61 CFR Subpart M: National Emission Standard for Asbestos
General Information about Asbestos can be found at the links below: