Criminal Enforcement: Signs of Environmental Violations
In your everyday life you may come across signs that someone has broken an environmental law. These violations may not always be obvious.
We've listed some signs of possible environmental law violations below. If you come across these signs, please report them using the EPA's Report an Environmental Violation form.
- Possible environmental violations
- Other odd activities
- Your safety comes first
- Who to contact if you witness an emergency
Possible environmental violations:
Also be aware of odd activities, such as:
- A truck dumping materials into a manhole or sewer drain.
- A truck unloading drums at odd hours or in odd places.
- A person burying drums on business or residential property.
Remember: Your Safety Comes First
EPA does not want you to put yourself in harm's way. If you see any of the above these signs of potential violations, please review these safety tips and do not try and investigate on your own - report what you see at www.epa.gov/tips.
- If you are not sure that an area is safe, stay away
- Do not enter confined spaces or low-lying areas
- Do not lean over open waste containers, or kick, rock or puncture waste containers
- If trained to enter, wear appropriate protective gear
- Do not take samples unless trained
- Keep others away from the scene until assistance arrives
- Be sure to keep children and pets away
- Do not track toxic material into your car
For more information on environmental crime, see Criminal Investigations - Violation Types and Examples or review the Report an Environmental Violation - General Information Brochure.