Air pollution complaints involve concerns about outdoor pollution generated by such sources as industrial emissions, and open burning. Air pollution complaints address outdoor air quality issues and exclude indoor air quality issues, which fall under housing complaints. Complaints about sewage odors fall under sewage complaints.
Industrial emissions are regulated by the Ohio EPA, and are monitored by the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services (HCDOES). The open burning of solid waste is regulated by the Ohio EPA and is prohibited under most circumstances, but some exceptions are allowed:
Within a restricted area (city limits) with prior notification:
- Prevention and control of disease or pests
- Ceremonial fires no larger than five feet by five feet and lasting no more than three hours
- Disposal of agricultural waste generated on the premises
In restricted and unrestricted areas without prior notification:
- Cooking for human consumption (such as barbecues)
- Heating tar
- Welding torches
- Smudge pots
- Heating for outdoor workers
Outside a restricted area without prior notification:
- Agricultural wastes
- Landscape wastes
- Residential wastes (Only such materials as wood or paper products that are generated by one, two or three family residences. Garbage may not be burned.)
Outside a restricted area with a permit:
- Land-clearing waste generated on the premises including plant matter which is removed when land is cleared for residential, commercial, or industrial development. Prior written permission from the HCDOES and a burn permit from the local fire department must first be obtained before burning land-clearing waste.
Restricted Areas Include:
- Inside the boundaries of any municipal corporation
- Inside corporation limits and a 1,000 foot zone outside any municipal corporation having a population of 1,000 to 10,000
- Inside corporation limits and a one-mile zone outside any municipal corporation with a population of more than 10,000
Materials such as tires, plastics, garbage, and dead animals may not be burned anywhere in the state of Ohio except at a licensed solid waste disposal facility.
Waste may not be hauled to another site and burned. No open burning can take place within 1,000 feet of an inhabited building located off the property where the fire is set.
There are alternatives to open burning. Leaves, grass clippings, tree trimmings, and other yard wastes can be brought to composting facilities in the county. Other types of solid waste such as paper and plastics can be recycled. Visit the Clermont County Office of Environmental Quality website for information about recycling and the disposal of the household hazardous wastes.
Air pollution complaints received by the Clermont County General Health District are referred to the HCDOES. Contact the HCDOES at (513)946-7777 or visit the HCDOES website to file an air pollution complaint, to obtain an open burning permit, and for more information about open burning. Additional information is also available at the United States Environmental Protection Agency website, and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency website.
Updated: 05/11/2009