Economic assessment on health loss of particulate air pollution in Dalian of China

Particulate air pollution is a serious problem in Dalian of China. In this paper, we presented the mortality and morbidity effects of PM₁₀ pollution, based on statistical data and the epidemiological exposure-response function. It was estimated that the total economic cost of health impacts due to particulate air pollution in urban areas of Dalian in 2006 was approximately 573.862 million US dollars(2006 exchange rate), accounting for 2.14% of gross domestic product (GDP). The results suggest that the impact of particulate air pollution on human health could be substantial in urban Dalian, whether in physical and economic terms. So, it's important to make more efforts in investment and management of environmental protection so as to reach the coordinated development of economy and environment. Energy policies and effective measures should be proposed to reduce particulate matter, especially PM₁₀ pollution in Dalian to protect public health.