Frequently, people ask me how to complain about air pollution or airborne odors. They also complain that when they make a complaint, nothing seems to happen. Here is information that may help you with complaints to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD):

·         For full information on how to make a complaint, see http://www.baaqmd.gov/enf/complaints.htm.  24 hour toll-free complaint hotline: 1-800-334-ODOR(6367)

·         Complaints must be made by phone. There is no email procedure for making complaints.

·         Investigators do not work nights and weekends.

·         Complaints of the same problem by three or more people get priority.            

·         District Inspectors prepare a written report for each complaint investigation and you may request a copy of the report if you wish. I recommend always requesting a written report.

·         According to the BAAQMD, the District receives approximately 3,000 air pollution complaints every year from members of the public. Nearly 1,700 of these complaints are related to odor.   Members of the public are keenly aware of air pollution events in their communities and often act as first indicators of air quality problems to the District. Satisfactory resolution of complaints is one of the most important and difficult responsibilities of District staff. In fact, other than a violation in progress, responding to complaints from the public takes precedence over all other duties assigned to inspectors.

The BAAQMD is governed by a Board of Directors made up of elected officials. Depending on where you live in West County, you are represented by either County Supervisor John Gioia or County Supervisor Gayle Uilkema.

Jack P. Broadbent serves as the Chief Executive Officer/Air Pollution Control Officer, for the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District). In this position, Mr. Broadbent is responsible for directing the Air District's programs to achieve and maintain healthy air quality for the 7 million people that reside in the nine county region of California's San Francisco Bay Area.

Mr. Broadbent joins the Air District after serving more than two and a half years as the Director of the Air Division at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX. In that position, Mr. Broadbent was responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Clean Air Act as well as indoor air quality and radiation programs for the Pacific Southwest region of the United States. Before serving at the EPA, Mr. Broadbent worked for the South Coast Air Quality Management District as a Deputy Executive Officer, Director of Planning and other senior management positions. While at the South Coast District, Mr. Broadbent directed the development of a number of landmark programs that contributed to significant improvements in air quality in the Los Angeles region.

Mr. Broadbent also has experience in private industry. In the 1980s, Mr. Broadbent served as Corporate Environmental Programs Manager for the largest private employer in California: Hughes Aircraft Company.

Mr. Broadbent holds a Master's degree in Environmental Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science—both from the University of California at Riverside.

Contact Mr. Broadbent at:

Bay Area Air Quality Management
District Office
939 Ellis Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

415) 771-6000 x-5052

jbroadbent@baaqmd.gov