Jul 2026· Management of environmental quality· pp. 1-21· 0 citations· 63 references
Abstract
This study quantifies the annual health and economic burden caused by exposure to local emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and benzene in the Haifa Bay Area, Israel.
A spatial health impact assessment was conducted using high-resolution pollution modeling and fine-scale population data. National disease rates and local concentrations were combined to estimate mortality and morbidity across statistical areas. Economic costs were evaluated using cost-of-illness and Value of a Statistical Life (VSL) and the Value of a Life Year (VOLY).
Significant spatial differences were found in both exposure levels and attributable health outcomes, with specific neighborhoods facing higher risks of mortality and chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, Diabetes, asthma and low birthweight. The total annual economic burden was estimated at 0.56–1.36 billion ILS (approximately 150–366 million USD).
Results provide essential data for local policymakers to target high-risk areas and inform cost-effective pollution-reduction strategies in complex urban zones.
This research offers a novel, spatially resolved quantification of the health and economic burden of local air pollution in Israel, combining advanced epidemiological methods and economic analysis to support integrated environmental management.
The findings indicate that long-term exposure to PM2.5 is associated with a significant increase in the risk of chronic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and premature mortality, and integrated prevention strategies-combining policy measures, planning solutions, and technological innovations have proven effective in reducing ambient pollutant levels and associated health burdens.
Dragana Kerkez, S. Nešović, Kristina Filipović et al.· Zbornik radova· 0 citations
China has invested heavily in air pollution control in recent years, yet comprehensive assessments of the associated health economic benefits remain limited. Prior research on the health economic benefits of air pollution control has mainly focused on mortality outcomes and PM2.5, which may substantially underestimates the true benefits of clean air policies. This study aims to evaluate the health economic benefits and losses associated with air pollution control by incorporating multiple health outcomes, population groups and air pollutants. We integrate daily mortality, hospital admission and outpatient visits and air pollutant (nitrogen dioxide, ozone [O3] and fine particulate matter) data from 18 cities from 2015 to 2022 to assess the health economic benefits. A generalized additive model was used to estimate concentration-response relationships. Health economic benefits were calculated based on the value of statistical life (VSL) and direct medical costs. Between 2015 and 2022, controlling PM2.5 and NO2 yielded significant health economic benefits across all health outcomes. Air pollution control generated significant health economic benefits across multiple outcomes in Guangdong Province. The total health economic benefits associated with PM2.5 and NO2 were 10,305.35 and 1017.00 million CNY, respectively. In contrast, O3 control yielded negative net benefits across all outcomes. Between 2015 and 2022, the multi-outcome health benefits of controlling PM2.5 exceeded mortality-only estimates by 31.79%, respectively For PM2.5 control, the elderly accounted for over 85% of the mortality-related benefits. These findings highlight the need for coordinated PM2.5-O3 control, the integration of multi-outcome evaluations into policy design, and targeted protection for vulnerable populations particularly the elderly.
These findings provide a scientific basis for targeted O3 mitigation policies in China and offer a "Chinese solution" for developing nations around the world to seek a balance between air quality management and economic development.
Yilan Shu, Huijuan Wang, Zilin Han et al.· Environmental Research· 0 citations
Air pollution remains a major public health concern, particularly in large metropolitan areas. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term association between ambient air pollution levels and non-accidental mortality in Istanbul between 2013 and 2019. In this ecological time-series study, daily mortality data were analyzed using quasi-Poisson regression models incorporating distributed lag non-linear models (DLNM) to estimate exposure-response relationships. Citywide daily mean concentrations of major air pollutants were derived from all eligible monitoring stations. Effect estimates were expressed as relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) per 10 µg/m2 increase in particulate matter concentrations. During the 7-year period, average particulate matter levels frequently exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) guideline values. A 10 µg/m2 increase in PM10 was associated with a 1.7% increase in daily mortality (RR: 1.017; 95% CI: 1.009-1.025), while a similar increase in PM2.5 was associated with a 3.3% increase (RR: 1.033; 95% CI: 1.021-1.046). Mortality increases were more pronounced among individuals aged ≥ 65 years. Periods of consecutive high pollution were also associated with excess mortality. Short-term increases in particulate matter concentrations were associated with elevated mortality in Istanbul, particularly among older adults. These results support the relevance of WHO guideline values in the local context and highlight the importance of sustained air quality control policies.
Air pollution has emerged as one of the most consequential, yet historically under-examined, environmental health threats confronting the African continent. Rapid urbanisation, continued reliance on solid biomass fuels for domestic energy, expanding vehicle fleets composed largely of imported used vehicles, gas flaring, open waste burning, and seasonal Saharan dust intrusions combine to expose hundreds of millions of Africans to concentrations of particulate matter and gaseous pollutants that routinely exceed international health-based guidelines. This critical review synthesises evidence published over the past decade on the sources, distribution and health consequences of ambient and household air pollution across Africa, with particular attention to respiratory, cardiovascular, maternal, perinatal and neurodevelopmental outcomes, as well as the disproportionate burden borne by women, children and informal-sector workers. The review further considers the continent's air quality monitoring infrastructure, the substantial economic costs associated with pollution-related morbidity and mortality, and the fragmented policy and regulatory landscape that currently governs air quality across African states. Evidence indicates that household air pollution from solid fuel combustion remains the dominant exposure pathway for the majority of the population, while ambient pollution from transport, industry and waste burning is rising sharply in urban centres. Both exposure pathways are associated with substantial burdens of lower respiratory infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, adverse pregnancy outcomes and premature mortality, with the heaviest toll falling on children under five years of age and on women engaged in domestic cooking. Air quality monitoring infrastructure remains sparse relative to other world regions, constraining both the precision of exposure assessment and the capacity of governments to design and enforce effective mitigation policy. The review concludes that integrated investment in clean energy transition, strengthened monitoring networks, and harmonised regional air quality governance represents an urgent and achievable public health priority for the continent.
Enokela Onum Shadrach, S. M. Bebelade· Journal of global ecology an...· 0 citations
This study comprehensively evaluates air pollution in Adana, one of Türkiye’s key industrial, urban, and transportation hubs. Using monitoring data from 2023–2025, the concentrations of major pollutants—PM2.5., PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3—were analyzed. The results were compared with standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Union (EU), and Türkiye’s national regulations, showing that PM2.5 and PM10 thresholds were frequently exceeded at several stations. A significant finding was that data capture rates remained below 60%, indicating reliability gaps in the monitoring infrastructure and weakening evidence-based policymaking. Primary sources of pollution include coal-fired power plants, the use of low-quality fuels, open burning of agricultural residues, and vehicular emissions. These factors are aggravated by Adana’s geographic and meteorological conditions, such as temperature inversions and low wind speeds, which facilitate pollutant accumulation and increase public health risks. Statistical analyses revealed notable rises in SO2 and particulate matter concentrations during winter due to residential heating, coinciding with higher respiratory illness rates. The study recommends reducing coal dependency, expanding access to natural gas, promoting sustainable transportation, restricting agricultural waste burning, and improving data transparency. The Adana case highlights air pollution as both an environmental and social justice issue.
E. Turan· Doğal Afetler ve Çevre Dergi...· 0 citations