Research & Development

• Models
• Methods
• Databases

EPA develops models for environmental decision making. A selected list of models is provided.

Search for more models in the Science Inventory.

Models:

• Biotechnology: Resistance Management Model Development - EPA has developed an insect resistance management simulation model. This tool is used to interpret the development of pest resistance to plant-incorporated protectants expressed in crops. Such models are predictive tools that help scientists evaluate the relative impact of various resistance management tactics under certain assumptions.
  
  
• CAPE-OPEN — Computer-Aided Process Engineering, Metal Finishing Facility Pollution Prevention Tool - Chemical process simulation is a design tool that has long been used to determine the best chemical process options. The CAPE-OPEN project defines a common application for chemical process simulation and computer-aided process engineering, thereby creating a process simulation package for the metal finishing industry. This program can easily be applied to other chemical process industries.
  
  
• Center for Subsurface Modeling Support (CSMoS) - CSMoS provides modeling software used to perform site characterization and ground water flow and transport simulations. The models are also used for selecting ground water remediation options at Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) sites, for studying Superfund-related issues, and for determining wellhead protection areas.
  
  
• Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM) - The EPA Center for Exposure Assessment Modeling (CEAM) was established in 1987 to meet the scientific and technical exposure assessment needs of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) as well as state environmental and resource management agencies. CEAM provides proven predictive exposure assessment techniques for aquatic, terrestrial, and multimedia pathways for organic chemicals and metals.
  
  
• Cost Analysis of Indoor Air Control Techniques: Cost Analysis of Air Cleaners for Removing VOCs From Indoor Air - This model compares the cost of using granular activated carbon with the cost of using photocatalytic oxidation for treating volatile organic compounds in indoor air.
  
  
• Cost Analysis of Indoor Air Control Techniques: Energy Costs of Increased Ventilation in Humid Climates (DOE-2 Modeling) - This building energy methodology is used to improve indoor air quality. It assesses the energy costs of indoor air quality control through increased ventilation in a warm, humid climate (a climate that makes improving indoor air quality particularly challenging).
  
  
• Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ)
  
  
• CREM Models Knowledge Base - The Council for Regulatory Environmental Modeling (CREM) maintains this Models Knowledge Base which is an inventory of EPA's environmental models. For more information, please visit the CREM Web site.
  
  
• Economics and Performance Modeling - EPA’s Air Pollution Technology Branch develops, refines, and maintains economic and performance evaluation models that estimate costs for air pollution prevention and control strategies. The models are intended for use by decision makers looking for objective, authoritative information on the cost-effectiveness of environmental technologies and risk management methods.
  
  
• Environmental Assessment Risk Models - This page lists all of NCEA's risk models available on the web, organized alphabetically by risk model title.
  
  
• EPA Models - this site contains links to models that can be found across the agency. This site includes regulatory and business models in addtion to a sampling of environmental models.
  
  
• EPANET - EPANET is software that models water distribution piping systems. It performs extended‑period simulations of the hydraulic and water quality behavior within pressurized pipe networks. EPANET was developed to help water utilities maintain and improve the quality of water delivered to consumers through distribution systems. It can be used to design sampling programs, study disinfectant loss and by-product formation, conduct system vulnerability and consumer exposure assessments, and to improve a system’s hydraulic performance.
  
  
• Exposure Research Models - EPA conducts research on the extent and nature of exposure of humans and the nation's ecosystems to environmental pollutants and other stressors. This page lists some of the models that show potential exposure of humans and ecosystems.
  
  
• Highway Vehicle Particulate Emission Modeling Software — PART5 - This is EPA's most up-to-date model for estimating particulate emissions from highway vehicles. The model analyzes the particulate air pollution effect of in-use gasoline-fueled and diesel-fueled motor vehicles. The model is appropriate for comparative analyses, such as determining the potential impact of one traffic control measure versus another.
  
  
• IAQX: Simulation Tool Kit for Indoor Air Quality and Inhalation Exposure Model - This model is an indoor air quality simulation software package that supplements existing simulation programs. It performs conventional indoor air quality simulations, computes the time concentration profile and inhalation exposure, and estimates the adequate ventilation rate for improving indoor air quality.
  
  
• Indoor Air Quality Modeling - Using the latest EPA research, the Indoor Environment Management Branch has developed an indoor air quality model for analyzing the effect of emissions sources, sinks, ventilation, and air cleaners on indoor air quality.
  
  
• Industrial Process Pollution Prevention Modeling - This research program models industrial processes for pollution prevention applications. The purpose of the modeling is to develop computer software tools for users to assess their pollution prevention options with environmental concerns as a major parameter.
  
  
• Integrated Air Pollution Control System (IAPCS) Cost Model - The IAPCS model estimates costs for implementing various air pollution control technologies applicable to coal-fired power plants. These technologies include sulfur dioxide control, nitrogen oxide control, particulate matter control, and combustion control. The IAPCS model is intended for use by pollution control regulators, architecture and engineering companies, utility companies, public utility commissions, and legislators.
  
  
• Mobile Source Ozone Precursor Emissions Characterization and Modeling: Mobile Emissions Assessment System for Urban and Regional Evaluation (MEASURE) - This model characterizes mobile source emissions, which are one of the largest sources of tropospheric ozone precursor emissions (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds) in the United States. This model estimates emissions for specific vehicle and engine operating modes (e.g., engine starts, acceleration, deceleration, and idling) so that more accurate information about actual on-road emissions can be obtained.
  
  
• PARIS II: Computer-Aided Solvent Design for Pollution Prevention (Program for Assisting the Replacement of Industrial Solvents)  PARIS II is software created to address industrial solvents whose continued use raises concern about worker health and about toxins in the environment. This tool identifies pure chemicals or designs chemical mixtures that can serve as alternatives to more hazardous substances currently in use.
  
  
• Primary Fine Particle Control Technologies - Because of the risks associated with fine particle emissions, EPA has reviewed primary fine particle control technologies. The objective was to evaluate selected particulate matter cost and performance models, critically analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and recommend a program to focus future research on making these models more cost‑effective and on developing the optimum risk reduction strategies.
  
  
• RISK Model - The RISK computer model is designed to calculate individual exposure to indoor air pollutants from emissions sources. The model can calculate exposure due to individual (as opposed to population) activity patterns and source use. It can also determine risk from the calculated exposure to indoor air pollution.
  
  
• Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) - SWMM is a dynamic rainfall-runoff simulation model used for single-event or long-term (continuous) simulation of runoff quantity and quality from urban areas. SWMM tracks the quantity and quality of runoff, flow rate, flow depth, and quality of water in each pipe and channel during a simulation period. It can be used for designing urban and highway drainage systems, for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain mapping, and for studying sewer inflow and infiltration.
  
  
• Support Center for Regulatory Air Models - This site is a source of information on atmospheric dispersion (air quality) models that support regulatory programs required by the Clean Air Act.
  
  
• Water Quality Models - Tools for simulating the movement of precipitation and pollutants from the ground surface through pipe and channel networks, storage treatment units and finally to receiving waters.