Reduced-Form Tools for Calculating PM2.5 Benefits
In situations in which the data needed to specify the BenMAP model is unavailable, reduced-form benefits tools can be used to quantify the expected health impacts of emission or air quality changes. Here we provide four reduced-form tools that enable users to relate changes in the emissions from certain classes of sources of direct or precursor emissions of PM2.5 to monetized health benefits. We also provide a report comparing the changes in benefits, as well as concentrations where available, from several reduced-form tools as compared to those from full-form photochemical modeling and BenMAP processing in five specific emissions scenario examples.
- Response Surface Model (RSM)-based Benefit-Per-Ton Estimates - These tables relate changes in directly-emitted PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors from certain classes of sources to an estimate of the monetized PM2.5-related health benefits. The benefit-per-ton methodology used to derive these values is discussed in Fann, Fulcher and Hubbell (2009).
- Sector-based Benefit-Per-Ton Estimates - These tables relate changes in directly-emitted PM2.5, PM2.5 precursors and ozone precursors from 21 industrial sectors to an estimate of the monetized PM2.5- or ozone-related health benefits. These updated values were published in October of 2021. The methodology for estimating benefit per-ton values is described in Fann, Baker and Fulcher (2012) and the Technical Support Document Estimating the Benefit per Ton of Reducing PM2.5 and Ozone Precursors from 21 Sectors.
- Mobile Sector Source Apportionment Modeling and Benefit-Per-Ton Estimates - This page links to the mobile sector source apportionment air quality modeling data underlying the figures presented in Zawacki et al., 2018 and the BenMAP-CE input files used to generate the mobile sector benefit-per-ton estimates presented in Wolfe et al., 2018.
- Co-Benefits Risk Assessment Screening Model (COBRA)- This as a screening tool that helps U.S. states and localities estimate the health and related economic benefits of changes in emissions of directly-emitted PM2.5 and PM2.5 precursors.
- Reduced-Form Project Report. This report demonstrates an approach to, and provides results from, an Agency-led project assessing the air pollution-related health impacts and monetized health benefits quantified using reduced-form tools as compared to those estimated using full-form air quality models.