scholarly journals Residential solid fuel emissions contribute significantly to air pollution and associated health impacts in China

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (44) ◽  
pp. eaba7621
Author(s):  
Xiao Yun ◽  
Guofeng Shen ◽  
Huizhong Shen ◽  
Wenjun Meng ◽  
Yilin Chen ◽  
...  

Residential contribution to air pollution–associated health impacts is critical, but inadequately addressed because of data gaps. Here, we fully model the effects of residential energy use on emissions, outdoor and indoor PM2.5 concentrations, exposure, and premature deaths using updated energy data. We show that the residential sector contributed only 7.5% of total energy consumption but contributed 27% of primary PM2.5 emissions; 23 and 71% of the outdoor and indoor PM2.5 concentrations, respectively; 68% of PM2.5 exposure; and 67% of PM2.5-induced premature deaths in 2014 in China, with a progressive order of magnitude increase from sources to receptors. Biomass fuels and coal provided similar contributions to health impacts. These findings are particularly true for rural populations, which contribute more to emissions and face higher premature death risks than urban populations. The impacts of both residential and nonresidential emissions are interconnected, and efforts are necessary to simultaneously mitigate both emission types.

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Tsanova ◽  
S Georgieva ◽  
M Kamburova

Abstract Background Air pollution is a major cause of premature death and disease, and is the single largest environmental health risk. Heart disease and stroke are the most common reasons for premature death attributable to air pollution, followed by lung diseases and lung cancer. This report aims at investigation and comparative analysis of air pollution and mortality related indicators in Bulgaria. Methods Descriptive study design with content analysis is applied on data from accessible national and international databases and publications - Bulgarian National Statistical Institute and The European Environment Agency. To evaluate the health burden attributable to air pollution were used the population-weighted concentration and the estimated number of attributable premature deaths, and the Years of life lost (YLL) per 100 000 inhabitants in 2016. The Ambient Air Quality Directive defines the PM2.5 Average Exposure Indicator which reflects population exposure to PM2.5 and shows the average concentration at urban areas, calculated as a 3-year average. Results In 2015, the level of PM2.5 had to be below 20 µg/m3 in any country. In 2017, concentrations were still above that level in three countries - Slovakia 22, Poland and Bulgaria 24. The largest health impacts in terms of premature deaths and YLL, are observed in central and eastern Europe where the highest concentrations are also observed - Kosovo, Serbia, Bulgaria, Albania and North Macedonia. The premature deaths attributable to PM2.5 exposure in Bulgaria are 13 100, to NO2 - 1 100 and to O3 - 280. The YLL attributable to PM2.5, NO2 and O3 exposure are respectively 1858, 151, 42. All these levels are very high in comparison with other European countries. Conclusions Recognition of the full health and economic cost of air pollution and the benefits of pollution reduction should spur increased use of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and clean-fuel vehicles. This is a necessary investment for Bulgaria's future. Key messages Responsibility for, and tools to tackle, many environmental determinants of health lie outside the direct control of individuals or the health sector alone. Wider societal, intersectoral and population-based public health approach is needed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke Conibear ◽  
Edward W. Butt ◽  
Christoph Knote ◽  
Stephen R. Arnold ◽  
Dominick V. Spracklen

Author(s):  
David Rojas-Rueda

Background: Bicycling has been associated with health benefits. Local and national authorities have been promoting bicycling as a tool to improve public health and the environment. Mexico is one of the largest Latin American countries, with high levels of sedentarism and non-communicable diseases. No previous studies have estimated the health impacts of Mexico’s national bicycling scenarios. Aim: Quantify the health impacts of Mexico urban bicycling scenarios. Methodology: Quantitative Health Impact Assessment, estimating health risks and benefits of bicycling scenarios in 51,718,756 adult urban inhabitants in Mexico (between 20 and 64 years old). Five bike scenarios were created based on current bike trends in Mexico. The number of premature deaths (increased or reduced) was estimated in relation to physical activity, road traffic fatalities, and air pollution. Input data were collected from national publicly available data sources from transport, environment, health and population reports, and surveys, in addition to scientific literature. Results: We estimated that nine premature deaths are prevented each year among urban populations in Mexico on the current car-bike substitution and trip levels (1% of bike trips), with an annual health economic benefit of US $1,897,920. If Mexico achieves similar trip levels to those reported in The Netherlands (27% of bike trips), 217 premature deaths could be saved annually, with an economic impact of US $45,760,960. In all bicycling scenarios assessed in Mexico, physical activity’s health benefits outweighed the health risks related to traffic fatalities and air pollution exposure. Conclusion: The study found that bicycling promotion in Mexico would provide important health benefits. The benefits of physical activity outweigh the risk from traffic fatalities and air pollution exposure in bicyclists. At the national level, Mexico could consider using sustainable transport policies as a tool to promote public health. Specifically, the support of active transportation through bicycling and urban design improvements could encourage physical activity and its health co-benefits.


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