Limitations
ECHO-AIR has limitations and is not a replacement for full comprehensive chemical transport modeling of PM2.5.
ECHO-AIR relies on simplifying assumptions used to improve model efficiency, a reduced scope of emissions input data, and simplifying assumptions in calculating exposure concentration. The results are recommended for use as a screening-level analysis for investigating the relative magnitude of disparities from minor perturbations in emissions from different sources, sectors, and release environments. These results are not a substitute for more complex modeling of total PM2.5 concentrations and exposure concentrations, nor can it produce time-resolved or seasonal results.
For more information about InMAP’s limitations, see Tessum et al. (2017).1