The Air Division is responsible for protecting the environment and the health and safety of the public as they relate to air quality. We regulate various sources of air pollution to ensure local, state, and federal rules and regulations are followed. Air pollution sources include, but are not limited to industrial factories, power plants and dry cleaners. Other activities that generate asbestos, noise, dust, or involve open burning are also regulated. We permit and monitor pollution sources, investigate citizen complaints, conduct special studies on airborne toxins, and collect and analyze air quality data using special sampling equipment located throughout Hillsborough County.

Air Engineering

The Air Engineering Section regulates most of the stationary sources of air pollution in Hillsborough County, in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the US EPA. The section is responsible for issuing air permits and performing inspections of all sources of air pollution that are granted a permit to operate. In addition to inspecting industrial air pollution sources, the section performs annual performance test audits, complaint investigations, and other activities regarding stationary sources.

Air Monitoring

Our Air Monitoring network uses state of the art air quality sampling equipment to collect, measure and report air quality data to state and federal agencies. This data is also used to determine how clean or polluted the air is on a daily basis.  Air quality advisories are generated when air quality conditions pose a potential health threat for Hillsborough County residents. 

Asbestos Program

Our Asbestos Program ensures that demolition and renovation activities throughout the county comply with federal regulations. If a project is regulated, notification and appropriate fees must be submitted to EPC. Asbestos inspectors review notifications, perform inspections, investigate complaints and ensure best practices are followed when asbestos containing building materials are disturbed. 

Open Burning

Our Open Burning Program serves to protect air quality by restricting the types of burning allowed in Hillsborough County. Open burning authorizations may be obtained for certain activities such as land clearing for residential/commercial development, mining, maintaining public rights-of-way, and flood control drainage maintenance. Burning of residential yard waste and garbage is not allowed. 

Noise Program

Our Noise Program limits the impact of activities involving some types of noise pollution sources on residential or commercial properties. We use specialized noise monitoring equipment to evaluate sound levels and determine if regulated noise sources are meeting local noise standards.