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AIR QUALITY OVER THE EASTERN UNITED STATES
Citation:
RAO, S.T. AIR QUALITY OVER THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. Presented at New York Academy of Sciences Regional and Urban Air Quality, New York, NY, February 28, 2007.
Impact/Purpose:
The objectives of this task include: (1) to continuously evaluate and analyze the forecast results to provide diagnostic information on model performance and inadequacies to guide further evolution and refinements to the CMAQ model, and (2) extending the utility of the daily air quality forecast model data being produced by NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) as part of a NOAA/EPA collaboration in air quality forecasting, to EPA mission-oriented activities. These objectives include developing and maintaining a long-term database of air quality modeling results (ozone and PM2.5), performing periodic analysis and assessments using the data, and making the air quality database available and accessible to States, Regions, RPO's and others to use as input data for regional/local scale air quality modeling for policy/regulatory purposes.
Description:
Atmospheric concentrations of ozone and fine particulate matter continue to exceed their standards in many parts of the eastern United States. However, the peak concentration levels and number of ozone exceedances have decreased substantially in recent years due, in part, to the implementation of the NOx SIP Call over the eastern United States by May 2004. Using the ozone observations and air quality models, we illustrate the impact of emission controls on the electric generating units and present research that is underway to better understand the relationships between air quality and human health.