Dec 1 -- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Science Advisory Board (SAB) Staff Office requests public nominations of scientific experts to form a Panel to review the BenMAP model, an open-source computer program that calculates estimated air pollution-related deaths and illnesses and their associated economic value. BenMAP is a shorthand title referring to the Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program. The Panel will review the latest available public release version of the BenMAP software. Nominations are due by December 29, 2020.
EPA has relied on its Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program (BenMAP) to estimate the changes in adverse health effects resulting from the changes in ambient concentrations of pollutants, typically ozone, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide. Results have been used by EPA; state, tribal, and local governments; and independent researchers to understand the burden of ambient air concentrations to the population and to evaluate the health benefits of policies that would reduce air pollution. EPA's Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) has requested a peer review of the model from the SAB.
The SAB Staff Office is seeking nominations of nationally and internationally recognized scientists with demonstrated expertise in the following disciplines: Software development (including C#/.Net and SQL databases); Geographic Information Systems and Geostatistics; Demographics; Risk Assessment; Statistics/Biostatistics; Photochemical Air Quality Modeling; Economics/Non-Market Valuation. The Panel will be asked to examine the C# code in BenMAP and independently validate results so panelists will need the appropriate software experience and general risk assessment experience to conduct this review.
Selection criteria to be used for panel membership include: (a) Scientific and/or technical expertise, knowledge, and experience (primary factors); (b) availability and willingness to serve; (c) absence of financial conflicts of interest; (d) absence of an appearance of a loss of impartiality; (e) skills working in committees, subcommittees and advisory panels; and, (f) for the panel as a whole, diversity of expertise and scientific points of view.
FR notice inviting nominations:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/12/01/2020-26472/request-for-nominations-for-a-science-advisory-board-panel
Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program - Community Edition (BenMAP-CE)
https://www.epa.gov/benmap
EPA SAB BenMAP Model Review
https://yosemite.epa.gov/sab/sabproduct.nsf//LookupWebProjectsCurrentBOARD/1153A6F97D36DB5A852586220065CF5D?OpenDocument
