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Internet Geographical Exposure Modeling System (IGEMS)
What Does IGEMS Do?The new IGEMS is a modernization of OPPT's older Graphical Exposure Modeling System and PCGEMS tools. IGEMS brings together in one system several EPA environmental fate and transport models and some of the environmental data needed to run them. IGEMS includes models and data for ambient air, surface water, soil, and ground water, and makes the models much easier to use than their stand-alone counterparts. IGEMS will have graphics and Geographical Information System (GIS) capabilities for displaying environmental modeling results.
How Does IGEMS Work?
The new IGEMS will have interactive menus to guide the user in selecting models, selecting and organizing data to be used as input to model runs, executing model runs, and presenting model outputs. The menus will also provide user help. The new system will be modular in design, so that EPA can easily add other models to the system in the future. IGEMS will also have the capability of retrieving some data from EPA Oracle databases, such as the TRIS data in the EPA Envirofacts Data Warehouse.
What Do I Need to Use IGEMS?
Several of the models in IGEMS require extensive input data. Where possible, IGEMS will include default data sets and will provide access to the required databases either within IGEMS or via EPA's Envirofacts Data Warehouse. The user will need to obtain some of the necessary input data, such as physical-chemical property data, from other sources.
How Are IGEMS' Data Used?
Each model produces results files which the user can save and can use with statistical software applications or other database programs. The user can apply the IGEMS graphical and Geographical Information System capabilities to view the results as isopleths, vectors, etc., and as geographical presentations, including overlays with population, geographical location, concentration, etc. Risk assessors can use the potential dose rates estimated by IGEMS in assessing potential exposure and risk at a fairly detailed level.
What Type of Computer System Do I Need?
An IBM-compatible computer with a Pentium processor, an Internet connection, and a Netscape or Microsoft® Internet Explorer web browser are needed to use the Internet version of IGEMS.
What Is IGEMS Status and Availability?
IGEMS is currently being designed for the EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Economics, Exposure, and Technology Division, Exposure Assessment Branch. Phase I of the design is nearly complete and will include a local version of IGEMS for use by EPA.. Phase II is well underway; an IGEMS Beta Test Version is now available. We welcome you to participate in this testing phase. To use IGEMS, please go to the EPA secured web site:
https://map11.epa.gov/igems/
to apply for an IGEMS account. Please bookmark the IGEMS website address. After you receive your IGEMS user ID and initial password, you will return to this website to go to IGEMS and test the system.
To run IGEMS successfully, we strongly recommend a Pentium PC 500 M Hertz or above with a minimum of 256 M memory (RAM). Please close all other unnecessary programs to free up more memory for your PC. We also strongly recommend a fast Internet connection, such as a cable modem, DSL, or T1 line.
The current IGEMS Beta Test Version includes 4 models: ISCLT; ISCST; SESOIL; AT123D. All these models are still undergoing testing and many of the default data sets in IGEMS have not yet been updated. The TRIWATER and TRIAIR models and the Exposure and Risk Assessment modules are not implemented in this version of IGEMS, so please do not try to run them.
Over the next year EPA plans to enhance the system to include: isopleth
labeling; implementation of the PROUTE, TRIWATER and TRIAIR models; database
updating; increasing of ISCLT's input to 150 stacks; enhancement of query
functions for the Census data; compatibility with MS Excel for the retrieved
data; and GIS enhancement.
Who Can I Call for More Information?
For more information about the model, contact:
Wen-Hsiung Lee
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. (Mail Code 7406M)
Washington, DC 20460
Phone: (202) 564-8544
E-mail: lee.wen-hsiung@epa.gov