How To Report Trucks With Smoky Exhausts

Air pollution is a serious issue, and smoking vehicles are a major contributor. If you witness a truck or any other vehicle emitting excessive exhaust and polluting the air, you can take action by reporting it to the relevant authorities. It is your right and responsibility to help reduce harmful air pollutants and improve the air quality in your community. Here are some steps you can take to report a polluting truck:

1. Identify the Source: Try to identify the source of the pollution by noting down the vehicle's license plate number, make and model, date, time, and location of the incident. This information will be crucial for filing a complaint.

2. Contact Local Authorities: Depending on your location, you can reach out to your local Air District or Air Quality Management District to report the polluting truck. They will guide you through the process of filing a complaint and may provide specific instructions or forms to follow.

3. Provide Detailed Information: When reporting the incident, provide as much information as possible. Describe the nature of the pollution, including any unusual smoke, odors, or noise. This will help the authorities locate the source of emissions and identify any violations of air quality regulations.

4. Utilize Online Resources: Many local and state agencies have websites with information on reporting air pollution complaints. They may provide online forms or hotlines specifically for reporting smoking vehicles. You can also refer to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website, which has a section for reporting environmental violations.

5. Immediate Threats: If you encounter an environmental emergency that poses an immediate threat to human health or the environment, it is crucial to act quickly. Call 911 first, and then report the incident to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

Remember, by taking action and reporting polluting vehicles, you are contributing to the collective effort to improve air quality and protect the health and well-being of your community.

Report a truck for air pollution in California

If you are in California and you want to report a truck for air pollution, you can do so by contacting the California Air Resources Board (CARB) or the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD).

The CARB investigates air pollution complaints from all over California, monitors the Air Resources Board's complaint hotline, and informs Air Pollution Control Districts of possible violations of district rules. You can file a complaint with CARB by phone or by submitting an online complaint form. The contact details are as follows:

• Vehicle Complaint Hotline: 1-800-END-SMOG
• General Air Pollution Complaint Hotline: 1-800-952-5588
• Environmental Tips/Complaints Email: environmental.complaints@arb.ca.gov

The AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality in Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. You can use the AQMD online complaint system or call 1-800-CUT SMOG to file a complaint.

In addition to the above options, you can also report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through their enforcement reporting website.

It is important to note that California has strict regulations regarding vehicle exhaust emissions and requires trucks operating within the state to comply with the California Truck and Bus Regulation. This regulation aims to reduce harmful air pollution from diesel-fueled trucks, which are a significant source of fine particle pollution in California.

Report a smoking vehicle in California

If you want to report a smoking vehicle in California, you can do so by submitting a complaint form for smoking vehicles through the California Air Resources Board website. The California Air Resources Board staff investigates tips about non-compliance and complaints about smoking vehicles and other sources of air pollution.

To report a smoking vehicle, you must have the following information ready:

• Vehicle type
• License plate number
• Date, time, and location of the incident
• Make and model of the vehicle

In California, every motor vehicle is required to be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke. No person is allowed to use a muffler cut-out, bypass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway. The engine and power mechanism of every motor vehicle should be equipped and adjusted to prevent the escape of excessive fumes or smoke.

Report a truck for air pollution in San Diego County

If you are in San Diego County and wish to report a truck for air pollution, you can do so by contacting the San Diego Air Pollution Control District (SDAPCD). The SDAPCD is responsible for regulating stationary sources of air pollution and monitoring air quality throughout the county.

You can report air quality concerns, including truck idling, smoke, dust, and improper asbestos removal, by using the SDAPCD's mobile app, by phone at (858) 586-2650, or by email at apcdcomp@sdapcd.org. For after-hours concerns, you can call (858) 586-2650 and select option 2.

When reporting an air quality concern, it is helpful to provide the following information:

• Your name, address, and telephone number
• The time and date the air quality concern occurred and whether it is still ongoing
• The nature of the air quality concern (e.g., smoke, dust, odor)
• The name and address of the alleged source and the type of operation causing it, if known

Additionally, you can find information about air quality complaints and a mapping tool on the SDAPCD website: www.sdapcd.org.

It is important to note that the SDAPCD investigates all air quality concerns and verifies compliance with air quality regulations within 48 hours or less of receiving a complaint. Therefore, if you witness an environmental event that poses an immediate threat to human health or the environment, it is recommended to call 911 and then report it to the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

Report a truck for air pollution in San Joaquin Valley

The San Joaquin Valley has some of the worst air quality in the nation, with the area's topography, transportation infrastructure, industrial demographics, and geography making it highly susceptible to air pollution. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) is responsible for regulating the air pollution caused by stationary sources such as power plants, refineries, and factories. The district was formed through the merger of existing county districts covering eight counties: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and part of Kern.

If you wish to report a truck for air pollution in the San Joaquin Valley, you can do so by contacting the California Air Resources Board, which regulates the air pollution caused by motor vehicles. The board investigates tips about non-compliance and complaints about smoking vehicles and other sources of air pollution. You can also contact the SJVAPCD, which has the authority to establish a permitting system that requires every person who operates a stationary source of air contaminants to obtain a permit.

Additionally, you can report environmental violations to the EPA. Information submitted will be forwarded to EPA environmental enforcement personnel or to the appropriate regulatory authority. If the environmental event poses an immediate threat to human health or the environment, it is recommended to call 911 and then report it to the National Response Center.

Report a truck for air pollution in your state

If you are in California, you can report a truck for air pollution to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) or the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). CARB has a Complaint Program that investigates air pollution complaints from all over the state. You can report a smoking or idling commercial truck by calling the Vehicle Complaint Hotline at 1-800-END-SMOG or by submitting an online complaint form. AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality in Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. You can report a smoking vehicle by calling 1-800-CUT-SMOG or using the AQMD online complaint system.

If you are not in California, you can report a truck for air pollution to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has an enforcement branch that investigates environmental violations. You can submit a report online or by calling the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.

In addition to the above resources, you can also try contacting your local or state environmental agency to report a truck for air pollution.

Frequently asked questions