Abstract
Background: The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting was held from 5 November to 11 November 2014 in Beijing, and comprehensive emission control measures were implemented. The efficiency of these measures on particulate matter-related health impacts and economic cost need to be evaluated. Methods: The influences of emission control measures during APEC on particulate matter were evaluated, and health economic effects were assessed. Results: Average concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 during APEC were reduced by 57.0%, and 50.6% respectively, compared with pre-APEC period. However, the concentrations of particulate matter rebounded after APEC. Compared with the pre-APEC and post-APEC periods, the estimated number of deaths caused by non-accidental, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases that could be attributed to PM2.5 and PM10 during the APEC were the lowest. The economic cost associated with mortality caused by PM2.5 and PM10 during the APEC were reduced by (61.3% and 66.6%) and (50.3% and 60.8%) respectively, compared with pre-APEC and post-APEC. Conclusions: The emission control measures were effective in improving short term air quality and reducing health risks and medical expenses during 2014 APEC, but more efforts is needed for long term and continuous air quality improvement and health protection.
Highlights
The rapid industrialization and urbanization in China have led to a drastic increase in energy consumption and pollutant emissions, especially in mega-cities
The emission control measures were effective in improving short term air quality and reducing health risks and medical expenses during 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), but more efforts is needed for long term and continuous air quality improvement and health protection
We evaluated non-accidental, cardiovascular and respiratory disease deaths attributed to PM2.5 and PM10 exposure with the method of exposure-response function, and the health economic cost associated with particulate matter during APEC-days and non-APEC days by method of VOST as described above
Summary
The rapid industrialization and urbanization in China have led to a drastic increase in energy consumption and pollutant emissions, especially in mega-cities. These emissions have exacerbated environment pollution problems, resulting in hazy weather and health concerns. Ambient air pollution ranks fourth among risk factors that contribute to the largest number of attributable disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in China [1]. Air pollution caused 5.5 million deaths and 141.5 million global DALYs in 2013 [2]. In Beijing, the capital of China, remarkable problems of traffic and particulate air pollution have emerged, especially the fine particulate matter (PM2.5 ). The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting was held from
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