Health impact of China Coal Consumption Cap Project

Abstract

S20: A world less dependent on fossil fuels – scientific evidence and corporate influence. An ISEE Policy Committee Symposium, Room 315, Floor 3, August 26, 2019, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Background/Aim: The China Coal Consumption Cap Project (CCCCP) (2013-2020) is one of the most important actions to mitigate air pollution by controlling coal consumption in China. We aimed to take 2013 as a baseline to evaluate the effects of the CCCCP and the related health impacts. Methods: Beijing, Taiyuan, and Guangzhou were selected as typical cities in mainland China. An analysis of the PM2.5 monitoring and morbidity/mortality data was conducted to estimate the health losses caused by coal consumption. Changes in outpatient/emergency room visit, hospitalization and mortality were calculated to assess the health impact of the CCCCP, in 2017 and 2020, respectively. Results: The concentration of PM2.5 in Beijing, Taiyuan, and Guangzhou decreased from 89.50μg/m3 to 58.00μg/m3, 75.02μg/m3 to 59.00μg/m3, and 51.73μg/m3 to 35.00μg/m3, respectively in 2013-2017 (and will drop to 50.00μg/m3, 47.00μg/m3, 30.00μg/m3 in 2020 scenario respectively, numbers in the parenthesis are the 2020 value, the same applies to the following). During this period, Ischemic Heart Disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease hospitalization, and non-accidental deaths in Beijing due to coal burning decreased (will decrease) by 1,990(2,461) and 995(1,205) person-times, and 1099(1,396) cases, respectively. The total number of hospitalizations, outpatients, and non-accidental deaths in Taiyuan due to coal burning decreased (will decrease) by 15,728(25,738) and 4,491(7,735) person-times, and 488(881) cases, respectively. The number of emergency patients with circulation and respiratory system diseases, and non-accidental deaths in Guangzhou caused by coal burning decreased (will decrease) by 158(203) and 277(348) person-times, and 3,159(3,908) cases, respectively. Conclusions: There were large reductions in PM2.5 concentrations during the period of CCCCP. Substantial reductions in morbidity and mortality related to control of ambient air pollution were achieved from 2013 to 2017 in China, and the health benefits will be more obvious in 2020, indicating appreciable effectiveness of controlling coal consumption and improving air quality.