Application of EnHEBIS tool to assess economic impact due to health effects from PM2.5 pollution – A case study at Long An province, Vietnam

Tóm tắt

Assessment of the effects of short-term PM_2.5 exposure on human health is one of the problems that need to be addressed within the framework of sustainable development. The goal of this study is to quantify the health-economic impacts of PM_2.5 pollution for a specific province - Long An province in Vietnam using the EnHEBIS (Environment, Public Health, and Economic Benefit Management Support Integrated System) software package. The study outcomes showed that significant health and economic effects could occur in areas with high PM_2.5 concentrations and dense population concentrations. Prominent results presented that acute exposure to PM_2.5 pollution from May to December 2018 caused 265 (95% CI: -12; 422) premature deaths, which approximately 60% of all early deaths due to all-caused respiratory diseases (RDs) with 155 (95% CI: 23; 170) cases. Corresponding to the health impacts, the economic values of Long An province also suffered a loss of around 1.15% of the total value of the gross regional product (GRDP) with about 1,270 (95% CI: -57; 2,021) billion VND, equivalent to roughly 170 million USD, along with a significant decline in the working time for the adult group. Although uncertainties have remained in this study, these results have shown the extent of economic, health, and environmental damage when PM_2.5 pollution occurs. The highlights are the basis for proposing measures to control and improve the local ambient air quality.