The Bureau of Air Quality (BAQ) protects and improves South Carolina’s air quality through the development, implementation, and enforcement of state and federal air quality programs. BAQ oversees air permitting and regulatory compliance to reduce air pollution and protect public health. 

BAQ provides air quality construction and operating permits for industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities and supports these efforts with air quality modeling, technical assistance, and daily ozone forecasts. The bureau also administers asbestos, DERA and radon programs, conducts compliance monitoring and inspections, reviews emissions and operational reports, and carries out enforcement actions to address noncompliance. 

In addition, BAQ offers education and outreach to inform South Carolinians about air quality issues and promote regulatory compliance.