An assessment of O3-related health risks and economic losses in typical regions of China

Abstract

Introduction: As one of the key areas for air pollution prevention and control in China, the Fenwei Plain is experiencing serious near-surface O₃ pollution, which is a key issue that needs to be solved urgently.

Methods: Based on pollutant concentration monitoring data and meteorological and health data over the same period, this study analyzed the temporal and spatial characteristics, the relationships with meteorological factors of O₃ pollution, and the health effects and economic losses caused by exposure to O₃ pollution using environmental health risk and environmental value assessment methods in 11 cities on the Fenwei Plain in China from 2014 to 2020.

Results: The results showed that O₃ pollution has become increasingly serious on the Fenwei Plain in recent years. The annual average concentration of O₃_8h_max showed an overall upwards trend, with an increase of 32.39% in 2020 compared to 2014. The mean concentrations observed in summer were the highest, followed by spring and autumn, and the lowest was in winter. The O₃ concentration had a significant positive correlation with air temperature and sunshine hours. The evaluation results of the impact of air pollution on population health showed that the number of premature deaths caused by O₃ pollution fluctuated and increased during 2014-2020. In 2020, the numbers of total, cardiovascular and respiratory deaths attributable to O₃ pollution on the Fenwei Plain were 6,867 (95% CI: 3,739-9,965), 3,652 (95% CI: 1,363-5,905), and 1,257 (95% CI: 747-2,365), respectively, and the total number of premature deaths related to O₃ exposure increased by 48.05% compared with 2014. The health and economic losses attributed to O₃ pollution on the Fenwei Plain during the study period were 44.22 (95% CI: 22.17-69.18), 47.16 (95% CI: 23.64-73.77), 68.28 (95% CI: 34.27-106.31), 114.44 (95% CI: 57.42-177.76), 110.85 (95% CI: 55.45-172.52), 116.41 (95% CI: 58.24-180.74), and 116.81 (95% CI: 58.00-180.88) billion yuan, respectively. In Linfen City, the increasing rate of the number of premature deaths reached 283.39% because the O₃ concentration increased greatly.

Discussion: Due to high O₃ concentrations and obvious population growth in Xi'an, the problems of premature death and health and economic losses attributed to O₃ concentrations exceeding the standard value are prominent.

Keywords: Fenwei plain; O3; distribution characteristic; economic loss; health effect; meteorological factors.