ABSTRACT
Air pollution models play an important role in the implementation of air pollution regulations. For example, before an industrial plant can be constructed, its impact on air quality is determined through an air pollution model to show that emissions from the plant do not lead to ambient concentrations above the regulated level. In the United States, the AMS/EPA Regulatory Model (AERMOD, Cimorelli et al., 2005) is used to make such permitting decisions. U.S. regulations that govern air toxics recommend the use of AERMOD to quantify risk associated with emissions of toxic chemicals in urban areas. Air pollution models that include chemistry are used to make decisions to control emissions that are precursors of ozone and acidifying pollutants. Such decisions can have multimillion-dollar implications associated with installing equipment to reduce emissions, or delaying, or even disallowing the construction of the industry responsible for the emissions.
