Reporting Air Quality Problems

By reporting air quality problems, you can help the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) protect the public health in the State of California and the South Coast Air Basin.

CARB Complaint Program

CARB's Complaint Program conducts special investigations of air pollution complaints from all over the state of California, monitors the Air Resources Board's complaint hotline and informs Air Pollution Control Districts of possible violations of district rules and assists in conducting selected complaint investigations.

Complaints can be made by phone or by submitting online complaint forms:

• Idling Bus or Vehicle at or Near a School

To report a bus or commercial vehicle idling at or near a school.

• Idling Commercial Vehicle

To report a commercial vehicle which is idling in excess or unnecessarily.

• Smoking or Idling Locomotive at Rail Yard

To report a locomotive which is idling or smoking excessively.

• Smoking Vehicle

To report a vehicle (car, truck or heavy-duty vehicle) which is smoking excessively while in operation on a local street or on the highway.

• Environmental Tips/Complaints

To report any other air pollution complaint, including open burning, factory emissions, and restaurant emissions, you may email us at the Environmental Tips link above or telephone our General Air Pollution Complaint Hotline at 1-800-952-5588.

For more information, visit the CARB Air Pollution Complaints web page.

AQMD Complaint Program

AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. AQMD is responsible for controlling emissions primarily from stationary sources of air pollution. 

Use the AQMD on-line complaint system to report excessive odors, smoke, dust, or other air contaminants (except smoking vehicles), or call 1-800-CUT SMOG.  Smoking vehicles can be reported by calling 1-800-CUT-SMOG.

For more information, visit the AQMD Complaints web page or see the AQMD Reporting Air Quality Problems Brochure.