Comprehensive comparative analysis of air pollutants exposure in different regions of mainland China: Assessment of health impacts and economic burden

Abstract

This study attempts to explore and compare the exposure to ambient air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, O3 and CO) in various provinces of mainland China during 2017–2019 and to quantitatively assess the extent of health damage and health economic loss of various air pollutants. Notably, the constructed model employed various methods, i.e., the integrated exposure–response model, the contingent valuation method, the human capital method, and the cost of illness method. The results are described as follows. (1) Mortality and morbidity due to exposure to ambient air pollutants in mainland China are estimated to be 13.1 (95%Cl: 7.5–22.2) million and 56.0 (95%Cl: 39.9–108.8) million, respectively, in 2017–2019. The mortality of respiratory diseases (RD) and cardiovascular diseases (CD) was the highest, and acute bronchitis had the highest morbidity. (2) The total economic losses caused by exposure to air pollutants are approximately 1,4444 billion yuan, and the economic losses caused by mortality and morbidity account for 95.2% and 4.8%, respectively. RD and CD account for the highest proportion of economic losses in mortality and morbidity. (3) Central China, East China, and North China have more serious health and economic damage problems caused by air pollution. (4) PM2.5, PM10 and O3 have a significant impact on health, accounting for 78.3% and 63.1%, for the total health damage and economic loss, respectively. The results of the evaluation can provide guidance for the formulation of detailed environmental interventions and further improvement of the air pollution situation in mainland China.