Air Quality Modeling: Past, Present, and Future

• By: AWMA
• On: 04/09/2021 16:09:13
• In: EM Articles
• Comments: 0

by Leiran Biton and Tony Schroeder

Air quality modeling is a key element in compliance demonstrations for U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) and increment as required under both federal and state permitting programs. Air quality dispersion models and other tools are used during the air quality permitting process to predict health-relevant air pollutant impacts. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides regulatory models and guidance on how to implement them with an emphasis on continual improvement. A working knowledge of air quality modeling guidance and features can benefit both those environmental professionals directly engaged modeling, as well as others who work in the air quality permitting field. A familiarity with modeling guidance and techniques can allow “non-modelers” to better understand and more fully contribute to the entire permitting process.

We selected articles for this issue to cover the past, present, and prospective future states of regulatory air quality modeling. By looking backward, we can better understand the current state of science and practice of air modeling. And by assessing the trends in modeling over the past and current periods, we can better understand how future events in environmental protection under the CAA may shape developments in the science or practice of regulatory air quality modeling.

Continue reading the full April 2021 issue of EM.