MEMORANDUM 

Subject: Input data for final RIA (human health benefits analysis) complete using BenMAPCE as part of the Ozone NAAQS review 

Date: September, 2015 

EPA placed into the docket (EPA‐HQ‐OAR‐2013‐0169) a DVD containing the input files used 

in the environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program—Community Edition (BenMAPCE) to estimate the human health-related benefits estimates for ozone as part of the regulatory 

impact analysis (RIA) completed for the current Ozone NAAQS review (excluding those data 

pre-loaded in the BenMAP-CE tool and documented in the user manual).1

 The files on the DVD 

include (a) inputs to the BenMAP model (BenMAP-CE version 1.0.8) used to generate both 

health incidence estimates and associated dollar benefits associated with simulated changes in 

ozone associated with the Final Rule and (b) spreadsheets containing input data and calculations 

used in generating incidence-per-ton and dollar-per-ton based cobenefits for reductions in PM2.5 

associated with the Final Rule. The specific subdirectories (and associated files) docketed on the 

DVD include: 

I. Files used to estimate ozone-related central benefits: 

a) BenMAP-CE files: BenMAP-CE-related files associated with ozone-benefits simulations 

(including *.AQGXs, *.CFGXs, *.CFGRXs, *.APVXs and *.APVRXs) are included in 

the subdirectory titled <BenMAP files_ozone>. Most of these files include specification 

of (a) simulation year (2025 or 2038), (b) air metric (1hrmax or 8hrmax – used for 

modeling different health endpoints – see below) and (c) specification of the air quality 

scenarios evaluated (e.g., 75-70 – change in benefits associated with going from the 

current standard to an alternative standard of 70 - including whether the scenario 

reflected full attainment “f” or partial attainment “p”). Specific details regarding 

individual file types include: 

a. *.AQGXs: In creating air quality grids (*.AQGXs), we used the CMAQ 12km 

Nation coverage included in BenMAP. Note that the “...1hrmax...” .*.AQGX 

files contain the 1hr max values used in the long-term mortality simulations, 

while the “...8hrmax...” files contain the 8hr max values used in modeling shortterm exposure endpoints. 

b. *.CFGX and *.CFGRXs: There are significantly less of these files since, for most 

simulations EPA generated dollar benefits and for that reason, went all the 

through specification of *.APVXs and generation of *.APVRXs. *.CFGX and 

*.CFGRXs were only saved for simulation runs where EPA only generated 

incidence estimates (mainly specific sensitivity analyses). 

c. *.APVX and *.APVRXs: Note that the *.APVRX files including 

“...asthexacer_corrected...” in their file names reflect updated simulations 

 

1

 For example, we used pre-packaged baseline incidence and prevalence rates as well as demographic data included 

in the public-release BenMAP-CE model in completing our benefits estimates and consequently, those data inputs 

are not included in this docketing action. 
reflecting the modification in the method used to generate asthma exacerbations 

and respiratory HA for ozone (see section 6.6.3.5 of the final ozone RIA). 

b) BenMAP-derived incidence and benefits estimates: The subdirectory 

<Core_and_supplemental_results_ozone> includes all of the BenMAP output files 

(outputted in csv format) which have been pulled into Excel files for ready access. This 

subdirectory includes both core, supplemental and sensitivity analysis results. Specific 

files include: 

a. Core 8hrmax (short-term endpoint) estimates: This file <8hrmax-summarytotalOzone_finalRIA> includes BenMAP core short-term morbidity and mortality 

results including incidence and dollar benefits.. 

b. Core and sensitivity analysis 1hrmax (long-term mortality) estimates: This file 

<1hrmax-summarytotal-Ozone_FinalRIA> includes core incidence and 

sensitivity-analysis related dollar benefit estimates generated for long-term ozone 

mortality. 

c. Sensitivity analysis (threshold analysis for long-term mortality): These files 

<FinalRIA_2025_1hrmax_Thresh_75-70f> and 

<FinalRIA_2025_1hrmax_Thresh_75-65f>.contain the estimates resulting from 

application of the range of thresholds considered for long-term ozone respiratoryrelated mortality. 

d. Supplemental analyses (plots of distribution of short-term mortality and baseline 

ozone levels): This file <8hr_2025_mortality-bselineozone-PLOTS_finalRIA> 

contains data used in generating the plots (also included) of (a) short-term 

mortality against baseline ozone levels and (b) exposed population against 

baseline ozone levels. 

e. Supplemental analyses (east-west and CA apportionment of core short-term 

mortality estimates): This file <E-WCA_ST_mortality_apportionment_finalRIA> includes estimates based on 

application of east-west regional and California apportionment of short-term 

mortality. Note, that in these files, the row attribute designates East (2), California 

(1) and West (3). 

f. Supplemental analyses (series of age-differentiated mortality based analyses): 

These files <2025_75-70-lifeyears> and <2025_75-65-lifeyears> include 

estimates of core short-term mortality by age range supports several supplemental 

analyses including (a) estimated reduction in life years lost, (b) distribution of 

mortality incidence reductions across age ranges, and (c) estimated reductions in 

baseline mortality incidence rates by age group. 

II. Files used in ozone supplemental analysis for worker productivity: 

a) BenMAP-CE files: BenMAP-CE-related files associated with ozone-benefits 

supplemental analysis simulations (including *.AQGXs, *.CFGXs, *.CFGRXs, *.APVXs 

and *.APVRXs) are included in the subdirectory titled 

<Core_and_supplemental_results_ozone\Supplemental Analysis (Worker Productivity)>. 

Most of these files include specification of (a) simulation year (2025), (b) air metric 

(9hraverage) and (c) specification of the air quality scenarios evaluated. Specific details 

regarding individual file types include: 
a. *.AQGXs: In creating air quality grids (*.AQGXs), we used the CMAQ 12km 

Nation coverage included in BenMAP. 

b. *.CFGX and *.CFGRXs: We provide one file for each scenario. 

c. *.APVX and *.APVRXs: As above, we provide one file for each scenario. 

III. Files used to estimate PM2.5-related benefits: 

a) Excel spreadsheets (inputs and calculations for PM2.5 cobenefits): Files in the 

subdirectory < Dollar_and_incidence_per_ton_PM> contain the dollar-per-ton values 

and NOx emissions reductions (together with the computational shell) associated with 

generating PM2.5 cobenefits including incidence and dollar benefit reductions. 

Point of contact: Zachary Pekar, U.S. EPA, Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards, email: 

pekar.zachary@epa.gov)