Air Quality and Odor Complaints

Air Pollution Complaints (BAAQMD)

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District receives over 12,000 air pollution complaints each year from members of the public. Community members are keenly aware of air pollution events and often provide the first warning of air quality problems. Satisfactory resolution of complaints is one of the most important objectives of Air District staff.

Examples of complaints include dust or chemical air pollutants emitted by industrial plants, refineries, neighborhood businesses, gas station nozzles, idling trucks, locomotives and buses; and smoke from agricultural fires, controlled burns, non-cooking backyard fires, and outdoor trash burning.

To file a complaint, complete an online complaint form or call BAAQMD's 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-800-334-ODOR (6367).

For more information, visit BAAQMD online.

BAAQMD Complaint Form

Odor Complaints at West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill

The City is actively working with Contra Costa Health Services, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and Republic Services to address the cause of the odors and prevent odors from occurring. City staff will continue to monitor this issue. Residents impacted by odor should call the Bay Area Air Quality Management District odor complaint line at 1-800-334-ODOR (1-800-334-6367).

Please visit the City's Landfill Odor Complaints webpage for more information and related documents.

AB 617 Richmond- San Pablo Community

Assembly Bill 617 (Garcia, C., Chapter 136, Statutes of 2017) is a State-mandated program that uses a community-based approach to reduce local air pollution in communities around the State that continue to experience disproportionate impacts from air pollution. Richmond is one of two focus communities for the Bay Area Air Quality District’s (BAAQMD) initial implementation of the AB 617 Richmond Area Community Health Protection Program. Richmond residents, businesses, a city staff representative were a part of the AB 617 Path to Clean Air Steering Committee which helped to guide the development of the Community Air Monitoring Plan. Local community leaders from Richmond's Clean Air Steering Committee are currently working with the Air District to develop a Community Emission Reduction Plan (CERP).Visit BAAQMD's website for program updates and information on meetings, www.baaqmd.gov/community-health/community-health-protection-program/richmond-area-community-health-protection-program.

Groundwork Richmond Community Air Monitors

The City of Richmond, in partnership with Groundwork Richmond and environmental consultant Ramboll, was awarded a grant from the California Air Resources Board to deploy 50 air monitoring sensors throughout the Richmond community. This effort is part of the State of California Assembly Bill 617 (AB 617) Community Air Protection Program. The 50 air monitors have been installed and provide real-time community-level air monitoring information. The concentrations and air quality index (AQI) values for PM 2.5 stated on the are currently uncalibrated estimates. This data cannot be directly compared to regulatory standards. More features will be added to the dashboard as we build out the program that will hopefully make these numbers more comparable to regulatory standards. The air monitoring data can also be found at, https://app.ramboll-shair.com/sfbayarea. 

AB 617 path to clean air monitoring meeting
Air page

BAAQMD Resources for Understanding Air Quality Data

The most accurate air quality data comes from the Air District’s air monitoring stations. These data are available in the Air Quality Index (AQI) format on an hourly basis for subregions within the Bay Area at the Air District’s website: https://bit.ly/2p7UFgs. While the most accurate data comes from the Air District's air monitoring network, low-cost sensors can also provide important information about real-time changes in air quality. Alternatively, air pollution concentration data are also available on BAAQMD's website.

AQI Index

Note: Values above 500 are considered Beyond the AQI. Follow recommendations for the "Hazardous category." See additional information on reducing exposure to extremely high levels of particle pollution.

Richmond Community Air Monitoring Program

The Richmond Community Air Monitoring Program is an independent initiative designed to provide real-time air quality readings to the public and provide greater access to historic air quality data. The program includes three community air monitors located within North Richmond, Atchison Village, and Point Richmond neighborhoods as well as along the refinery fence lines that border those neighborhoods.

More information about the air monitoring programs can be found below and real-time data is available on the Richmond Community Air Monitoring website: www.richmondairmonitoring.org/index.html.


Fence Line Monitor Locations                                     Community Monitor Locations 

Air Monitor Fence line Locations
Air Monitors Community Locations

Additional Air Monitoring Resources



Bay Area Air Quality Management District Air Monitoring Index
View the current air quality data collected from the Air District’s air monitoring network at. Richmond is in the Coast and Central Bay Section.

AirNow
AirNow is a one-stop source for air quality data. AirNow reports air quality using the official Air Quality Index (AQI), a color-coded index designed to communicate whether air quality is healthy or unhealthy for you. When you know the AQI in your area, you can take steps to protect your health. AirNow is a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Park Service, NASA, Centers for Disease Control, and tribal, state, and local air quality agencies. Here is a complete list of AirNow partners, www.airnow.gov/partners/.

Chevron's Flare Minimization Plan

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) requires petroleum refineries to monitor flares and file monthly reports. Flaring is not allowed unless it follows an approved Flare Minimization Plan. These plans describe each flare at a given facility, the equipment and procedures used to reduce flaring, and any other measures needed to prevent flaring.

For more information about flare trends and data visit, BAAQMD Flare Trends and Data

BAAQMD has posted Chevron's most recent Flare Minimization Plan and it can found at BAAQMD's Flare Minimization Plans webpage.

Community Emergency Alerts

Richmond residents and businesses are encouraged to sign-up for the Contra Costa County Community Warning System (CoCo CWS) and follow the Richmond Fire Department on Twitter to receive alerts about hazards and emergencies happening in their area.

 CoCo CWS Registration- English Opens in new window

Alertas de Emergencia Comunitaria

Se alienta a los residentes y negocios de Richmond a inscribirse en el Sistema de Advertencia de la Comunidad del Condado de Contra Costa (CoCo CWS) y seguir al Departamento de Bomberos de Richmond en Twitter para recibir alertas sobre peligros y emergencias que suceden en su área.

Las alertas de CWS en español incluyen SOLAMENTE alertas de instalaciones de materiales peligrosos.Si se registra para recibir alertas de instalaciones de materiales peligrosos en español, recibirá todas las demás alertas de peligros en ingles, en este momento.

CoCo CWS Registration- Spanish Opens in new window 

City of Richmond Fire Department Twitter

Contra Costa County Community Warning System