News | Media |

Air Quality: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Questions
How do I register an OUTDOOR air quality complaint?
What about smoke and odors?
Can anything be done about dust?
Does the Air Quality Division respond to indoor mold, mildew, or radon complaints?
Who can assist with an INDOOR air quality issue?

Complaints:

What types of complaints does the Pinellas County Air Quality Division respond to?

Air Quality has the authority to respond to outdoor air quality and asbestos-related complaints.

Does the Air Quality Division respond to indoor mold, mildew, or radon complaints?

The Air Quality Division does not offer indoor air quality inspections or services. Please be advised the Pinellas County Air Quality Division has no authority to regulate or respond to indoor air quality complaints regarding mold, mildew, or radon. Florida Statutes do not require remediation or abatement of mold.

How can I register an outdoor air quality complaint and what information do I need to provide when registering a complaint?

File an outdoor air quality complaint through the Pinellas County Citizen Access Portal or call Air Quality’s 24-hour complaint line at (727) 464-4422. Please provide the following information to assist us to effectively respond to your complaint and seek resolution:

Clearly state your name, telephone number, and full street address;
Describe the problem [smoke, odor, dust, etc.] and the impact;
State the time and date when the problem occurred, and whether it is happening at the time of your call;
State whether this problem has occurred in the past, and if so, when;
State the direction the wind was blowing from at the time the problem occurred;
State how long the problem lasted; and
If you know the source of the alleged problem, state the business name or resident’s name and address.

How do I set up an account in the Citizen Access Portal?

A video tutorial and step-by-step instructions are available to assist you to create an online account in the Pinellas County Citizen Access Portal.

How long will it take to receive a response to my complaint?

Air Quality staff strive to respond to all complaints in a timely manner; usually not later than three business days after receiving the complaint. However, based on the number of complaints received at any given time, it is not always possible to respond within 72 hours.

Will the Air Quality Inspector contact me after their complaint investigation?

Yes. It is Air Quality's policy to contact all complainants and inform them of the results of the investigation, provided the complainant has left their telephone number.

If I leave my name, number and address, is my information confidential?

Air Quality staff do not give out information about the individual who filed the complaint during field inspections. However, in the State of Florida, citizen complaints are part of the public record. As such, concerned parties can access citizen complaint records by coming to the Air Quality in person, or by submitting a request for a copy of the citizen complaint.

Can I file a complaint without giving my name and phone number?

Yes. Air Quality investigates anonymous complaints. However, the inspector will not be able to inform you of the results. Call Air Quality at (727) 464-4422 to receive investigation results.

Smoke and Odors:

What about smoke and odors from backyard barbecues?

Commercial barbecue cookers are not exempt from causing a nuisance odor. If a sufficient number of complaints, representing different households, are reported and an Inspector witnesses the problem, the division can take appropriate enforcement action.

What can Air Quality do about smoke and odors from restaurants?

An Inspector can often resolve these complaints by making the source aware of the problem and letting them know a complaint has been registered. A restaurant can change its operating practices, improve maintenance of its cooking equipment, or install odor control equipment. Restaurants are not exempt from causing nuisance odors. If a sufficient number of complaints, representing different households, are reported and an Inspector witnesses the problem, the division can take appropriate enforcement action.

What can Air Quality do about smoke and odors from campfires, grills and smokers?

A campfire or other fire is allowed that is used solely for recreational purposes, for ceremonial occasions, for outdoor noncommercial preparation of food, or on cold days for warming of outdoor workers, as long as excessive visible emissions (>20% opacity) are not emitted. All recreational fires are limited to using clean burning charcoal, coal, manufactured fire logs or untreated dry wood as fuels. The burning of treated wood, yard waste, paper, garbage or other waste material is prohibited. Pinellas County Code does not prohibit the use of grills, camp stoves or similar devices designed for cooking, fueled by LP gas, butane, naphthalene or other liquid fuel and which are not used to burn yard waste or other material.

Dust:

What can Air Quality do to stop dust from a construction site?

Air Quality responds to dust complaints and, if necessary, informs sources the problem needs to be abated. In the case of a construction site, Air Quality will request reasonable precautions be taken to keep dust to a minimum. Ways to reduce dust include using water trucks, restricting earthmoving activities to times when the wind is low, and altering work practices.

What can Air Quality do to stop dust from a business?

Air Quality will inspect a permitted business to determine whether the business is complying with air permit conditions and/or the Pinellas County Code. If the company is operating in violation of its air permit or the County Code or if they are creating a dust nuisance, the Division can take appropriate enforcement action. Air Quality can also issue Warning Letters to businesses that are creating a dust nuisance, but do not have an air permit.

What is Urban Fallout?

Pinellas County is three times more densely populated than any other County in the State of Florida. Coinciding with our tightly packed population are all the activities associated with a thriving metropolis. Lots and lots of roads, constant traffic flows, construction sites, even lawn mowing, contributes to the formation of a fine airborne dust. As this fine dust settles out of the air, it comes to rest on our cars, window sills, screens, etc. This light dust is often referred to as Urban Fallout.

General Questions:

Where can I get information on carpooling?

Call Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) Commuter Services at (800) 998-7433 for commuting alternatives.

What if I suspect someone is committing an outdoor air pollution violation?

Call Pinellas County Air Quality’s Compliance Section at (727) 464-4422 or enter a complaint through the Pinellas County Citizen Access Portal.

How can I get pollen count data?

Call us at (727) 464-3392 or visit the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology for additional information.

Where can I get information on my questions about air toxics and asbestos regulations?

Call Pinellas County Air Quality’s Air Toxics Section at (727) 464-4422.

Air Quality Toxics
Air Quality Asbestos

Where can I find help complying with Air Quality regulations?

Call Pinellas County Air Quality at (727) 464-4422 or email Compliance Assistance/Emissions Reduction.

Indoor Air Quality:

Where can I find information on INDOOR air quality?

Indoor Air Quality Resources
Frequent Questions about Mold
Mold Testing or Sampling
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Indoor Air Quality Information

Where can I find information on the Clean Indoor Air Law and smoking in public areas?

For information on the Florida Clean Indoor Air Act (FCIAA), call the Florida Department of Health at (800) 337-3742. For smoking in restaurants, call the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at (850) 487-1395, or for smoking in non-restaurant public buildings, call the Florida Department of Health at (800) 337-3742 or (850) 245-4281.