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  • SCDES Highlights South Carolina’s Clean Air During National Air Quality Awareness Week
    A person with short hair stands outside holding a notepad, near a large measuring instrument. Trees and a partly cloudy sky are visible in the background May 4-8 marks, National Air Quality Awareness Week, ; a nationwide initiative focused on the importance of clean air and the everyday factors that influence air quality. In South Carolina, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) Air Program works year-round to protect and improve the air residents breathe. The good news: South Carolina currently meets all, National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), for all six principal pollutants—, particulate matter, ozone, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and lead, . These federal standards, established by the, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, , serve as the national benchmark for protecting public health and the environment. “Not only does South Carolina have clean air, but our state’s air quality has been improving over the years,”, said Rhonda Thompson, , Chief of SCDES’s Bureau of Air Quality. “This is in large part due to the support we receive from local air quality coalitions, industries, schools, local governments and other stakeholders for continually wanting to improve South Carolina's clean air.” Behind the scenes, SCDES’s Air Program—which includes, the Bureau of Air Quality, the air laboratory within the Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services, and regional offices, —works to maintain and strengthen that progress every day. Their work includes developing air quality regulations and strategies, tracking emissions data, conducting air dispersion modeling and ozone forecasting and administering programs that reduce air toxics and prevent accidental releases. A person is adjusting weather monitoring equipment under a large umbrella, surrounded by greenery. The…, updated air quality forecast, tool that provides easy access to daily air quality conditions and ozone forecasts across South Carolina.    “Another important focus of National Air Quality Awareness Week is to remind the public that there are several actions we all can incorporate into our daily routines to help protect our air,”, Thompson added., Simple everyday choices can make a measurable difference, including:, Using electric-powered lawn equipment instead of gas-powered alternatives Keeping vehicles properly maintained to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency Combining trips and errands or shopping locally to reduce miles driven Avoiding unnecessary idling, such as waiting in drive-through lines SCDES also provides public access to air quality data and forecasts through AirNow.gov, where…, Air Quality Forecast webpage, . Residents can also, sign up for air quality alerts, to stay informed about local conditions. As National Air Quality Awareness Week highlights the importance of clean air across the country, South Carolina continues to demonstrate that strong partnerships, steady monitoring and everyday actions all play a role in keeping the state’s air clean for generations to come.
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  • Disposal of Asbestos
    Never Burn any Asbestos-Containing Waste Material, Non-asbestos-containing demolition debris and debris that contains only non-regulated roofing or flooring may be disposed of at a SCDES-approved disposal site for cellulosic or inert waste. Waste consolidation activities involving grinding, cutting, or compacting of non-friable asbestos-containing materials will subject these materials to more stringent State and Federal asbestos disposal…, (803) 898-4289, . Regulated asbestos waste must be handled by properly licensed asbestos abatement personnel and disposed of at a landfill permitted to accept regulated asbestos waste., Find a list of approved landfills allowed to accept asbestos, ., Note, : Although a landfill may be approved to accept regulated asbestos waste per SCDES's Bureau of Air Quality, the landfill may choose not to accept it due to the special handling and tracking that is required. Please contact the landfill directly to determine whether or not the landfill will accept regulated asbestos waste., Asbestos Removal Information
  • During National Air Quality Awareness Week, SCDES Highlights Importance of Clean Air in South Carolina
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  May 6, 2026  COLUMBIA, S.C. — May 4-8 is recognized as National Air Quality Awareness Week , a nationwide initiative focused on the importance of clean air and its impact on public health and the environment. In South Carolina, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) works year-round to protect and preserve the state’s air quality for residents and…, Dylan Cobb with SCDES's Division of Air Quality Analysis gathers data from one of the agency's stations that monitors for particulate matter.,   SCDES also offers an updated air quality forecast tool that provides easy access to daily air quality conditions and ozone forecasts across South Carolina at des.sc.gov/airqualityforecast.    “Access to timely, reliable air quality information is key to helping South Carolinians make informed decisions about their health,”, said Rhonda Thompson, Chief of SCDES’s Bureau of Air Quality., “Our updated air quality forecast tool makes it easier than ever to stay informed about local conditions and plan outdoor activities accordingly.”  Through programs like Spare the Air, SCDES encourages residents to take simple steps to reduce air pollution on days when ozone levels may be elevated. Actions such as reducing vehicle use, avoiding idling and using electric lawn equipment can help…, Thompson said., “Actions taken at home and in our communities can collectively make a meaningful difference in reducing emissions and preserving South Carolina’s air quality for future generations.”  Residents can view current conditions, access forecasts and learn more about protecting air quality at des.sc.gov/air and sign up for alerts through EnviroFlash .  ### 
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  • Mining and Reclamation
    Originally passed in 1974, and amended in 1990, the S.C. Mining Act was enacted to ensure that all lands and waters involved in mining within the state receive the greatest practical degree of protection and restoration. The Regulations (R.89-10 through R.89-350) were promulgated to better define how to enact the Mining Act. These two documents create protections for the surrounding environment…, What is Mining?, Simply put, the Mining Act defines “mining” as the removal of ores or mineral solids from natural deposits in the ground.  It also includes the removal of overburden lying on top of the natural deposits, as well as the breaking of the surface soil to facilitate the removal of said ores or mineral solids for specific purposes. Mining does not include the following: excavation or grading when…, Mining General Permit, The Mining General Permit authorizes mining operations with limited scope.  The following limitations apply: May only excavate sand, clay, and/or topsoil; May only affect up to 5 acres of land; Allows a maximum depth of 20 feet; Does not allow any processing of material; Cannot be co-located with another Mining General Permit on the same tract of land, on an adjacent tract of land, or on a…, Individual Mine Operating Permit, The Individual Mine Operating Permit covers all other mining activities. There are no intrinsic limitations to the type of material, affected acreage, depth, processing, or frequency of other mine sites. The operator will be required to complete reclamation of the mine in accordance with the approved Reclamation Plan. The operator is required to submit a financial assurance mechanism in an…, Certificate of Exploration , A certificate of exploration is required for exploration activities, which includes the development of open pits, trenches, open cuts, or tunneling. It may only cover an area 2ac or less. A certificate of exploration is not required for an area already covered by an operating permit or for drilling core holes, drilling bore holes, or conducting geophysical and geochemical sampling and analysis. A…
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