Premature Deaths and Economic Losses Attributable to Long- and Short-Term PM2.5 Exposure in China

In recent years, China has suffered severe particulate matter pollution. Satellite-derived PM2.5 datasets and baseline mortality rate data were used to analyze the premature deaths (PDs) and economic losses (ELs) attributable to long-term PM2.5 exposure (LTE) and short-term PM2.5 exposure (STE) in mainland China. The results illustrated that the PDs attributable to LTE presented an increasing trend between 2000 and 2014 and a fluctuating decreasing trend after 2014. The number of peaked PDs in 2014 was 1.45 million, and it decreased to 1.43 million in 2019. From 2000 to 2019, ELs attributable to LTE increased from $93.83 billion to $523.02 billion. The PDs attributable to STE revealed a fluctuating upward trend from 2000 to 2013 and a downward trend after 2013. The number of peaked PDs in 2013 was 75.89 x 10(3) and decreased to 14.81 x 10(3) in 2019. ELs attributable to STE rose from $3.56 billion in 2000 to $22.96 billion in 2013, declining to $5.78 billion in 2019. The benefits of improving air quality in reducing PDs attributed to LTE were partially offset by the aging population. Therefore, the increase in PDs and ELs attributed to LTE slowed in recent years. Benefit from the decrease in PM2.5 concentration, PDs and ELs attributable to STE declined significantly. The results of this study could provide a better understanding of the hazards attributable to PM2.5 exposure and provide a reliable theoretical basis for regional air pollution control measures.

Automated summary

The study analyzed the premature deaths and economic losses attributable to long-term and short-term exposure to PM2.5 in mainland China. It found that the number of premature deaths and economic losses related to long-term exposure showed a fluctuating trend, while those related to short-term exposure declined significantly. Improving air quality has helped reduce the impact of PM2.5 exposure, but the aging population partially offset the benefits.