Report Air Quality Issues

What should I report and why?

Our government is responsible for protecting our environment which means keeping our land, air, and water clean. However, here in Louisiana, it’s often up to citizens to take the lead by reporting incidents of pollution to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ), when we see, smell, or hear something.

For example, we should report:

• Chemical odor or fumes
• Smoke or flaring from an industrial facility
• Smoke from burning agriculture fields blowing into community
• Dust blowing from loading/unloading facility

(Source: Louisiana Environmental Action Network. Learn more about the reporting process with LEAN’s reporting guide.)

Although reporting an incident does not always mean the problem will get resolved, a high number of reports on a specific facility may encourage DEQ to increase facility inspections or ask the company to make additional information about its operations publicly available. Additionally, when a specific facility is identified in a complaint, investigators have more authority to enter and inspect. Finally, this information can be useful for geographic analysis and data collection. Remember, the most important information is what, when and where.

How do I report?

Step 1: Gather the information. To report, you will need:

• • Identify the facility, by name and physical location or address. If unsure, please estimate where the issue is coming from using the map provided below. Addresses of many facilities can be found in the table below.
  • Date and time frame of incident. For the online reporting, you can type “ongoing” in the start and end time boxes to state that the incident is ongoing, or “not applicable” if you are unsure of the date or time.
  • Media (is the pollution going into the soil, air, or water?)

• • Description of complaint

• • • Describe this in as much detail as possible! Include sights, smells, sounds, and physical health symptoms, if any. 
    • You may also choose to include an Agency Interest (AI) number in the description of your complaint. The AI # (or “Agency Interest number” is the identification number LDEQ assigns to the facilities it regulates)
      • Please pinpoint the facility or facilities where possible. If unsure please estimate where the issue is coming from using the map below.
      • Name the specific source onsite, like the sulfur pile, loader, flare, or smokestack, if known.
      • You may see or smell pollution from multiple plants at the same time. In this case, include all nearby facilities in the report.
      • Note: on LDEQ’s online form, include AI number in the “description of complaint.”
  • You don’t need to include directions to the site, unless you have some specific information like “The smell is coming from the pit at the corner of Main and 3rd by the big tree”
  • Remember, you can report from anywhere and you do not have to report while you are witnessing an incident or even on the same day, just try to report as soon as you can!
  • Take pictures for your own records, if possible.

Step 2: Report

• • Online
    • You can file a complaint through LDEQ’s online reporting portal here.
    • Complete the questions in the online portal using the information you have collected.

• • Please prioritize online reporting if possible.

• • An example online reporting form is included at the bottom of this guide.
  • Phone: 225-219-3640
  • Make sure to have all of the information listed above on hand. The LDEQ employee who takes your call will ask the same questions as those listed in the online portal.

Addresses and AI Numbers of Facilities

If possible, include the AI number associated with the facility where you believe the incident is occurring. The following list includes facility name, location, and AI number. In the case that two AI numbers are listed, include both of them.

Find more facility information here:

LDEQ Data on Air Sources within 5-miles of Welcome

Additional resources:

• Louisiana Environmental Action Network
  • Environmental Incident Reporting Form (PDF)
  • Citizens Guide, LEAN: Reporting Environmental Incidents
  • Call LEAN: 225-928-1315
• Tulane Environmental Law Clinic’s Guide to Environmental Protection in Louisiana