Air Quality Modeling Group

The Air Quality Modeling Group (AQMG) is part of the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards in the U.S. EPA's Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) and provides leadership and direction on the full range of air quality models, air pollution dispersion models and other mathematical simulation techniques used in assessing pollution control strategies and the impacts of air pollution sources.

The AQMG is located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Overview of the AQMG's responsibilities

The AQMG serves as the focal point on air pollution modeling techniques for other EPA headquarters staff, EPA regional Offices, and State and local environmental agencies. It coordinates with the EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) on the development of new models and techniques, as well as wider issues of atmospheric research. Finally, the AQMG conducts modeling analyses to support the policy and regulatory decisions of the EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS).

Projects maintained by the AQMG

The AQMG maintains the following specific modeling programs and projects:

• Air Quality Modeling
• Support Center for Regulatory Atmospheric Modeling (SCRAM)
• Air Quality Modeling Guidelines
• Dispersion Modeling
• Preferred/Recommended Models, Alternative Models and Screening Models
• Model Clearinghouse
• Meteorological Data and Guidance
• Guidance on modeling for new National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
• Particulate Matter (PM) data analysis and PM modeling
• Regional and urban ozone modeling
• Roadway modeling
• Visibility and regional haze modeling

Further reading

For those who are unfamiliar with air pollution dispersion modelling and would like to learn more about the subject, it is suggested that either one of the following books be read:

• Turner, D.B. (1994). Workbook of Atmospheric Dispersion Estimates, 2nd Edition. CRC Press. ISBN 1-56670-023-X.  www.crcpress.com

• Beychok, M.R. (2005). Fundamentals of Stack Gas Dispersion, 4th Edition. self-published. ISBN 0-9644588-0-2.  www.air-dispersion.com

• Schnelle, Jr., Karl B. and Dey, Partha R. (2000). Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling Compliance Guide. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-058059-6.