On the Development of a Guideline for Applying Air Quality Models

The Clean Air Act of 1970 is based on the concept that acceptable air resources can be attained and maintained by applying two basic strategies—by managing the quality of the air and by promulgating emission standards. Air quality management requires the use of procedures for relating emissions and ambient air quality, that is, air quality models. The infinite variety of climatological and meteorological circumstances, of topography, and of the characteristics and configurations of sources challenges atmospheric scientists to devise accurate and simple models for general use. Demands arise for uniform procedures for estimating the impacts of sources. Representatives of nonscientific disciplines publicly debate issues involving the use and standardization of models. This paper describes a process followed in developing a guideline for selecting and applying models for the management of air quality. The process included participation by specialist groups, and also by the general public, in determining the content and tone of the guideline and the appropriate degree of standardization.