What is the health cost of haze pollution? Evidence from China

Abstract

Summary Introduction Haze pollution has become a serious threat to the health of residents and has brought about considerable economic costs. The objectives of this study are to examine the relationship between haze pollution and residents' health and to estimate the health cost of haze pollution. Methods Using macro data on 74 major Chinese cities, this study employs a static panel data model and a dynamic panel generalized method of moments model to investigate the impact of haze pollution on the mortality of residents. On the basis of the estimation results, the value of a statistical life (VOSL) method is used to evaluate the economic cost of haze pollution on residents' health. Results In 74 major cities of China, an increase in concentration of PM2.5 pollutants by 1 μg/m3 may cause the mortality rate to rise by 25 per million people. The VOSL of haze pollution in China is about 1.53 million yuan. The health cost of residents from haze in 74 major cities of China in 2016 was about 888 billion yuan, equivalent to about 2% of the these cities' GDP. Conclusions Haze pollution has serious damage to the health of urban residents and therefore brings about considerable economic losses.

Air pollution and development in Africa: impacts on health, the economy, and human capital

“…33 Through this analysis, we developed a coefficient quantifying the relationship between particulate matter (PM) 2•5 concentration and IQ loss in children younger than 10 years. Details are presented in the appendix (pp [13][14][15][16].…”

“…31 From these data, we calculated that the slope of the relationship between PM 2•5 concentrations and PIQ loss in this range is -0•61 PIQ points per 1 μg/m³ increase in PM 2•5 . Details are presented in the appendix (pp [13][14][15][16][17].…”

“…[8][9][10] There is a major need to understand how the environmental risk transition is shaping the epidemiological transition in Africa, and specifically to understand how changing patterns of pollution are driving the rise of non-communicable disease and affecting economic development. [11][12][13][14][15][16] The goals of this study are: to quantify the impacts of air pollution (both household air pollution and ambient air pollution) on health, human capital, and the economy in a rapidly changing Africa; and to identify opportunities for control of air pollution and prevention of pollution-related disease. We examine data for the entire continent, but we focus especially on three rapidly emerging sub-Saharan countries: Rwanda, Ghana, and Ethiopia.…”

Association of outdoor air pollution with the medical expense of ischemic stroke: The case study of an industrial city in western China

“…[14][15][16] Air pollution leads to increased healthcare expenditure, social costs, and economic pressures. 21,22 A comprehensive study of the indicators of medical expenses caused by air pollution benefits the development of evidence-based and health-related environmental policymaking, 23 especially for ischemic stroke, a disease with high incidence and significant resource consumption. Several studies have shown a positive association between air pollution exposure and increased medical expenses.…”

“…An increasing number of researchers have found that air pollution has an impact on the mortality and morbidity of ischemia 14–16 . Air pollution leads to increased healthcare expenditure, social costs, and economic pressures 21,22 . A comprehensive study of the indicators of medical expenses caused by air pollution benefits the development of evidence‐based and health‐related environmental policymaking, 23 especially for ischemic stroke, a disease with high incidence and significant resource consumption.…”