Protecting China's children: valuing the health impacts of reduced air pollution in Chinese cities

Abstract

As China advances its overall program of economic development, many Chinese cities consistently suffer from unhealthy levels of air pollution. One of the groups most affected is children. This paper provides some quantification regarding the extent of various morbidity costs upon children in portions of urban China. Using China-based health-effects and valuation studies, the authors project, and value in dollar figures, the number of averted cases of childhood colds, bronchitis, asthma, and respiratory-related hospital visits resulting from a lowering of air pollution levels. The results indicate that these child morbidity benefits may be substantial, with a mid-range value of nearly $3.5 billion over the period 2002-2011.

Effects of an Educational Glass Recycling Program against Environmental Pollution in Spain

“…From an economic point of view, if the glass collected from the La Liga Peque Recicladores program were sold on the market, the income generated could lead to self-financing of this educational activity; similar paper recycling education programs have already adopted this method of self-funding [29]. Furthermore, this glass recycling program is not only capable of generating income, but it could also lead to economic savings in the high healthcare and environmental costs resulting from pollution [63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73]. Therefore, governments should pay attention to the link between health and the environment when formulating public policies; likewise, it is incumbent upon the private industry to develop socially responsible behaviors.…”

Valuing the Adult Health Effects of Air Pollution in Chinese Cities

“…First, we find that the limited numbers of both health effects and valuation studies indicate a need for more of these studies, especially since China is undergoing rapid economic growth and social transformation. Second, our focus here on health effects in adults omits a number of other air pollution consequences or cleanup benefits, such as health effects in children, 11 as well as nonhealth benefits. Third, these benefits and valuations are based solely upon a 10‐year projection subject to multiple uncertainties.…”

“…For this study, we derive our b‐values exclusively from China‐based studies (discussed in the sections below) examining the health impacts of pollution. Using studies conducted in China is important because different countries can generate starkly different health equations 10–12 …”

“…Using studies conducted in China is important because different countries can generate starkly different health equations. [10][11][12]…”

“…[7][8][9] Other valuation efforts have used scaling United States or other developed country values to China using ratios of per capita income. This approach assumes per capita income level is either the sole determinant of relative valuations or sufficiently captures all factors, but as discussed elsewhere, [10][11][12] the evidence for such assumptions is limited and the parameters used are quite varied.…”