An assessment of China's PM10-related health economic losses in 2009

Using GIS software and based on exposure-response functions, this paper estimated the health-related economic losses that China suffered in 2009 due to the presence of particulate matter (PM10). The results show that China suffered a health-related economic loss due to PM10 of US$ 106.5 billion, or 2.1% of China's GDP, for the year 2009. Some urban areas, including Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Changsha, reported large health-related economic losses due to PM10, with a value of US$ 1.5 million per square kilometre or greater. Some parts of Beijing, Ji'nan, and Chongqing reported health-related economic losses due to PM10 as being greater than 4% of the 2009 GDP.

► In the study, we calculated China's health-related economic losses due to PM10 in 2009.
► The study is important to understanding air pollution-related health burdens and economic losses in China.
► The results show the health-related economic loss worth US$ 106.5 million, or 2.1% as a proportion of China's GDP.
► Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, and Changsha reported heavy health-related economic losses.