Evaluation the Extent of Health Damage Caused by PM2.5 Particulate in Xi'an City

Abstract

The study evaluated the acute health damage effect of PM2.5 exposure in winter in Xi'an City, using the average concentration of PM2.5 (24 h) and the Average Poisson Regression Model for three consecutive years, from 2014 to 2016. The Corrected Human Capital Method was used to evaluate the economic loss from premature death. The cost of illness was used to assess the economic loss of hospitalization, illness and clinic. The results show that the economic loss in the study period (2014, 2015, 2016) caused by PM2.5 was about 33.523 billion yuan (95% CI: 24.961-36.975), 21.105 billion yuan (95% CI: 13.560-26.880), and 37.132 billion yuan (95% CI: 27.246-41.164). The proportions of GDP were as follows: 6.10% (4.54%-6.73%), 3.64% (2.34%-4.63%), and 5.91% (4.34%-6.55%) for each of the three years. The health economic loss was positively correlated with the average PM2.5 concentration in winter. PM2.5 pollutants have a significant impact on the health of residents in Xi'an. The number of reported cases was about 1071338 (95% CI: 646432-1385847), 438273 (95% CI: 246842-599989), and 1019503 (95% CI: 611407-1324547) for each of the three years. The effects on children with asthma were significantly higher than that on adults, while adults with chronic bronchitis were affected more significantly than children. This study can provide a scientific basis for cost-benefit analysis of the PM2.5 air quality standard in Xi'an, and provide a reference for the management of environment quality.