Program Description

The 1970 Federal Clean Air Act and its 1990 amendments require U.S. EPA to set clean air standards to protect the public health and welfare. Ohio EPA's Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC) has adopted rules which ensure those standards are met throughout Ohio. The district offices inspect stationary sources of air pollution and determine whether these sources comply with these rules and regulations.  A permit system also has been established to regulate the amount of pollution emitted into the ambient air. By enforcing the air pollution control regulations, Ohio EPA has seen steady improvement in Ohio's air quality.

District staff in the Division of Air Pollution Control are divided into two teams:  Permits and Compliance, and Technical Services.  The Permits and Compliance team is responsible for the preparation and enforcement of air permit provisions.  The Technical Services team is responsible for surveillance functions and ambient (outdoor) air quality monitoring.  The specific activities of each team are listed below.

Permits and Compliance Team

• Review and process permit applications for air pollution sources to determine the types and amounts of proposed emissions, prevent new outdoor air quality problems and ensure compliance with state and federal rules.
• Recommend appropriate permit actions for each application.
• Inspects and continually monitors stationary air permit holders.
• Investigates air pollution complaints.
• Provides technical assistance regarding air pollution to industries, institutions, commercial facilities, and the public.
• Monitors stack testing conducted by private testing companies and reviews stack testing reports.
• Investigate pertinent automobile tampering violations.
• Educates the public and the regulated community about air pollution through public outreach efforts.

Technical ServicesTeam

• Installs, operates, and maintains ambient air monitoring system.
• Implements quality assurance program for ambient air data.
• Inspects facilities being renovated or demolished to ensure compliance with asbestos regulations; responds to inquiries and complaints.
• Investigates open burning complaints; processes open burning permit requests. Information on the human health and environmental effects of burning waste in your backyard is available from US EPA.