Contamination in the air is a major global problem. Research from 2016 estimated that about 5 million people a year die from pollution. TheWorld Health Organization estimates that billions of people worldwide live in environments where the pollution exceeds WHO’s recommended levels. Pollution exists, and negatively impacts health, both in the United States and worldwide.
Since pollution is such a pervasive issue, preventing contamination is imperative for anyone engaged in activities that may impact the quality of the air. Air quality modeling software is an excellent tool in preventing this contamination. Here is how air quality modeling software, also known as air dispersion modeling software, helps in the battle to create and maintain cleaner air.
Air quality modeling software can predict future contamination.
Preventing contamination of the air with pollutants starts with knowing what substances, practices, and buildings will create that contamination. If you can predict, for example, that the construction of an emissions stack on your factory will produce high levels of particulate pollution, you can begin to develop solutions to that contamination.
Similarly, if you can see that adding a new chemical to your manufacturing process is going to create pollution from the resulting emissions, you can alter your plans to use that chemical. When you need to build a new housing development, the work required to clear the land, prepare the land for building, and construct the houses may release large amounts of pollutants into the surrounding environment. You need to know beforehand exactly how much pollution will be released, and how it might impact the neighborhoods and people nearby.
Air quality modeling software helps businesses to predict the amount of contamination to be expected from specific scenarios. As a result, it can be used to predict the amount of pollution that specific initiatives will create. For example, air modeling software can predict how much pollution that new emissions stack, intersection, housing development, or factory will create.
The most useful aspect of the modeling software is its ability to predict contamination for the specific circumstances surrounding each scenario. For example, the right software can evaluate exactly how emissions from your stack will affect the surrounding area based on that area’s landscape, weather, wind patterns, and more. The result is a tailored evaluation of future contamination.
Thanks to the ability of air quality modeling software to predict future contamination, you can use this software to identify projects that may need to be modified in order to prevent unacceptable levels of contamination.
Air quality modeling software can ensure regulatory compliance.
The Clean Air Act is a comprehensive piece of legislation regulating the release of pollutants into the air across a number of areas. In addition to the Clean Air Act are other local, regional, state, and federal regulations governing the release of emissions and pollutants into the air. One way to prevent contamination in the air, and avoid EPA finesand other penalties, is to remain in compliance with all regulations that are applicable to your business.
Air quality modeling software provides a way to ensure this regulatory compliance. For example, air quality modeling softwarecan tell you whether a planned project will exceed acceptable air pollution levels. A new building can be evaluated to ensure that its emissions are within acceptable standards. Indoor air quality can similarly be studied.
If the software analysis finds that the scenario under evaluation violates applicable regulations, the responsible parties have the opportunity to rectify the problem before they face fines and penalties for noncompliance. And, as companies come into compliance with applicable regulations, they reduce the amount of contamination that would have occurred had they inadvertently created scenarios where excess amounts of pollutants were being released into the air.
Air quality modeling software can test new approaches to contamination control.
In addition to predicting the impacts of future projects on pollution and ensuring regulatory compliance, air quality modeling software can prevent contamination by allowing you to test new approaches to contamination control. In particular, modeling software allows potential pollution solutions to be evaluated before they are implemented.
For example, say you use air quality modeling software to determine that your new emissions stack will release unacceptable levels of pollutants into the atmosphere. You can then use the same software to predict how various solutions will work (i.e. changing the height of the stack, changing the materials creating the emissions, changing the location of the stack).
Each solutions can be evaluated by the air quality modeling software. In the end, you can then select the solution that will be most effective. Contamination is prevented by allowing you to pinpoint which solution will work the best. Trial and error is reduced or eliminated, along with excess pollution.
Preventing contamination is easier with air quality modeling software. This software allows you to evaluate the potential impact of any projects, ensure regulatory compliance of these projects, and evaluate the effectiveness of any solutions you implement. As a result, modeling software should be an integral part of any effort to reduce environmental pollution. If you need help with this software, do not hesitate to reach out to Providence-Oris. We can provide you with the environmental consulting support you need to identify ways to reduce contamination. In addition, we offer you access to a wide range of air quality modeling software to allow you to reduce contamination in a scientific and knowledgeable way, and we offer the training you need to maximize your use of this software. With the right tools at your disposal, you can more successfully reduce contamination due to your company’s projects.
