Improving the Science of Regulatory Dispersion Models for Short-Range Applications

Atmospheric dispersion models used in assessing environmental impact and regulatory issues are often labeled “regulatory.” Such models are typically of a simple form due to their repeated use and the fast turnaround required. In the United States for example, models often are run for a year of hourly meteorological inputs to determine the highest or “worst-case” concentration for a source. Despite the simplicity requirement, however, regulatory models must be based on sound physical principles to generate confidence in their results.