Combining Data from Multiple Sources to Evaluate Spatial Variations in the Economic Costs of PM<sub>2.5</sub>-Related Health Conditions in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region

Fine particulate matter, known as PM<sub>2.5</sub>, is closely related to a range of adverse health outcomes and ultimately imposes a high economic cost on the society. While we know that the costs associated with PM<sub>2.5</sub>-related health outcomes are not uniform geogr...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiya Zhang, Haibo Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-10-01
Series:International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/20/3994
Description
Summary:Fine particulate matter, known as PM<sub>2.5</sub>, is closely related to a range of adverse health outcomes and ultimately imposes a high economic cost on the society. While we know that the costs associated with PM<sub>2.5</sub>-related health outcomes are not uniform geographically, a few researchers have considered the geographical variations in these costs because of a lack of high-resolution data for PM<sub>2.5</sub> and population density. Satellite remote sensing provides highly precise, high-resolution data about how PM<sub>2.5</sub> and population density vary spatially, which can be used to support detailed health-related assessments. In this study, we used high-resolution PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration and population density based on remote sensing data to assess the effects of PM<sub>2.5</sub> on human health and the related economic costs in the Beijing&#8722;Tianjin&#8722;Hebei (BTH) region in 2016 using exposure-response functions and the relationship between health and economic costs. The results showed that the PM<sub>2.5</sub>-related economic costs were unevenly distributed and as with the population density, the costs were mainly concentrated in urban areas. In 2016, the economic costs of PM<sub>2.5</sub>-related health endpoints amounted to 4.47% of the total gross domestic product in the BTH region. Of the health endpoints, the cost incurred by premature deaths accounted for more than 80% of the total economic costs associated with PM<sub>2.5</sub>. The results of this study provide new and detailed information that could be used to support the implementation of national and regional policies to reduce air pollution.
ISSN:1660-4601