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Case Study: Advances in Modelling Exposure
Citation:
GARCIA, V., V. ISAKOV, AND T. H. WATKINS. Case Study: Advances in Modelling Exposure . ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST. Institution of Environmental Sciences, London, Uk, 20(1):18-21, (2011).
Impact/Purpose:
The National Exposure Research Laboratory′s (NERL′s) Atmospheric Modeling and Analysis Division (AMAD) conducts research in support of EPA′s mission to protect human health and the environment. AMAD′s research program is engaged in developing and evaluating predictive atmospheric models on all spatial and temporal scales for forecasting the Nation′s air quality and for assessing changes in air quality and air pollutant exposures, as affected by changes in ecosystem management and regulatory decisions. AMAD is responsible for providing a sound scientific and technical basis for regulatory policies based on air quality models to improve ambient air quality. The models developed by AMAD are being used by EPA, NOAA, and the air pollution community in understanding and forecasting not only the magnitude of the air pollution problem, but also in developing emission control policies and regulations for air quality improvements.
Description:
Concerned about the health impacts of air pollution. many environmental agencies around the world are implementing regulations to reduce emissions from various sectors, thus maintaining ambient air quality at acceptable levels. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants, such as 07.one. nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter, to protect public health and the environment. As the NAAQS target pollutant concentrations in the ambient air, the impact on reducing actual human exposure to harmful air contaminants may vary significantly. Air quality management programs designed to meet the NAAQS may also vary in their effectiveness at protecting public health. It is therefore important to explicitly consider exposure to fully assess the nature and magnitude of the air pollution problem, and achieve a better understanding of how pollutants impact human health.