Evaluating the benefits of a systems approach to particulate matter air pollution management.

摘要

Although air quality has improved in the United States over the past thirty years, some air quality management areas continue to have serious problems with air pollutants such as particulate matter (NRC 2004). I hypothesize that using a systems approach would have benefits for PM10 management, including improved results and understanding, as well as identification of ineffective policies. A system dynamics model was developed for PM10 in the Las Vegas Valley. Policy analysis revealed real-world behavior, important dynamics of the system, and potentially harmful policies. Results support the importance of a systems and long-term perspective, and show that PM10 pollution could have been reduced or avoided by other strategies. Recommendations for the model, problematic assumptions, and implications of results for air quality management are discussed.