Valuing the health impacts of air pollution in Hong Kong

Although Hong Kong has relatively clean air compared to other Asian cities, local air quality still falls short of local and international air quality standards for suspended particulates and nitrogen dioxide. Noting the problems associated with trying to transfer and value health effects across countries, this paper uses Hong Kong-based epidemiological studies and Hong Kong-based valuations of health outcomes to estimate and value the impact of successful cleanup activities over a 10-year span. Results indicate potential mid-range gains of between US$ 1.6 billion and US$ 5.5 billion.