Quantifying COVID-19’s Silver Lining: Avoided Deaths from Air Quality Improvements in Bogotá

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allen Blackman ◽  
Jorge Bonilla ◽  
Laura Villalobos
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
First Year ◽  
Quality Improvements ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Particulate Pollution ◽  
Premature Deaths ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Short Term Mortality ◽  
Silver Lining

In cities around the world, Covid-19 lockdowns have improved outdoor air quality, in some cases dramatically. Even if only temporary, these improvements could have longer-lasting effects on policy by making chronic air pollution more salient and boosting political pressure for change. To that end, it is important to develop objective estimates of both the air quality improvements associated with Covid-19 lockdowns and the benefits these improvements generate. We use panel data econometric models to estimate the effect of Bogotás lockdown on fine particulate pollution, epidemiological models to simulate the effect of reductions in that pollution on long-term and short-term mortality, and benefit transfer methods to estimate the monetary value of the avoided mortality. We find that in its first year of implementation, on average, Bogotás lockdown cut fine particulate pollution by more than one-fifth. However, the magnitude of that effect varied considerably over the course of the year and across the citys neighborhoods. Equivalent permanent reductions in fine particulate pollution would reduce long-term premature deaths by more than one-quarter each year, a benefit valued at $670 million per year. Finally, we estimate that in 2020-2021, the lockdown reduced short-term deaths by 31 percent, a benefit valued at $180 million.

scholarly journals An Economic Evaluation of the Health Effects of Reducing Fine Particulate Pollution in Chinese Cities

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yana Jin ◽  
Shiqiu Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Control Process ◽  
Significant Heterogeneity ◽  
Mortality Reduction ◽  
Republic Of China ◽  
Particulate Pollution ◽  
Premature Deaths ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Welfare Implications

Fine particulate pollution (PM2.5) is a leading mortality risk factor in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and many Asian countries. Current studies of PM2.5 mortality have been conducted at the national and provincial levels, or at the grid-based micro level, and report only the exposure index or attributable premature deaths. Little is known about the welfare implications of PM2.5 mortality for urban areas. In this study, we estimate the total cost of PM2.5 mortality, the benefit of its reduction achieved through meeting various air quality targets, and the benefit of mortality reduction achieved through a uniform 10 micrograms per cubic meter decrease in PM2.5 concentration in the urban areas of 300 major cities in the PRC. Significant heterogeneity exists in welfare indicators across rich versus poor and clean versus dirty cities. The results indicate that cities in the PRC should accelerate the fine particulate pollution control process and implement more stringent air quality targets to achieve much greater mortality reduction benefits.

Quantifying short-term and long-term health benefits of attaining ambient fine particulate pollution standards in Guangzhou, China

2016 ◽  
Vol 137 ◽  
pp. 38-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hualiang Lin ◽  
Tao Liu ◽  
Jianpeng Xiao ◽  
Weilin Zeng ◽  
Xing Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Benefits ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Particulate Pollution ◽  
Fine Particulate

scholarly journals Air Quality Implications of COVID-19 in California

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 7067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai Pan ◽  
Jia Jung ◽  
Zitian Li ◽  
Xuewei Hou ◽  
Anirban Roy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
The United States ◽  
Air Quality Monitoring ◽  
Quality Improvements ◽  
Premature Deaths ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Shared Mobility

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected human health and the economy. The implementation of social distancing practices to combat the virus spread, however, has led to a notable improvement in air quality. This study compared the surface air quality monitoring data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA)’s AirNow network during the period 20 March–5 May in 2020 to those in 2015–2019 from the Air Quality System (AQS) network over the state of California. The results indicated changes in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) of −2.04 ± 1.57 μg m−3 and ozone of −3.07 ± 2.86 ppb. If the air quality improvements persist over a year, it could potentially lead to 3970–8900 prevented premature deaths annually (note: the estimates of prevented premature deaths have large uncertainties). Public transit demand showed dramatic declines (~80%). The pandemic provides an opportunity to exhibit how substantially human behavior could impact on air quality. To address both the pandemic and climate change issues, better strategies are needed to affect behavior, such as ensuring safer shared mobility, the higher adoption of telecommuting, automation in the freight sector, and cleaner energy transition.

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Its Impact on the Indian Economy

2021 ◽  
pp. 097226292198912
Author(s):  
Vikas Barbate ◽  
Rajesh N. Gade ◽  
Shirish S. Raibagkar
Keyword(s):  
Oil Prices ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Indian Economy ◽  
The Great Depression ◽  
Windfall Gain ◽  
Crude Oil Prices ◽  
Tree Approach ◽  
Silver Lining

Pessimism looms large all over. COVID-19 has been projected as worse than the Great Depression of 1930. Everyday analyst and agency reports are diving into new bottoms of a fall-down in economic activities. Indian economy, however, has a slightly different story to tell at this hour of crisis. The silver lining for the Indian economy comes from a steep fall in the crude oil prices from around $70 per barrel to a record 18 years low of $22 per barrel. This windfall gain can, to some extent, offset the direct losses due to COVID-19. At the same time, dreams like a $5 trillion economy no longer look even a remote possibility. This article takes stock of the likely impact of COVID-19 on the Indian economy in the short term and the long term. A decision-tree approach has been adopted for doing the projections.

Short-term and long-term exposures to fine particulate matter constituents and health: A systematic review and meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 247 ◽  
pp. 874-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Yang ◽  
Zengliang Ruan ◽  
Xiaojie Wang ◽  
Yin Yang ◽  
Tonya G. Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Fine Particulate

scholarly journals Meteorological controls on atmospheric particulate pollution during hazard reduction burns

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Di Virgilio ◽  
Melissa Anne Hart ◽  
Ningbo Jiang
Keyword(s):  
Particulate Matter ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Fine Particulate Matter ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Hazard Reduction ◽  
Particulate Pollution ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Projected Changes ◽  
Sydney Australia

Abstract. Internationally, severe wildfires are an escalating problem likely to worsen given projected changes to climate. Hazard reduction burns (HRB) are used to suppress wildfire occurrences, but they generate considerable emissions of atmospheric fine particulate matter, which depending upon prevailing atmospheric conditions, can degrade air quality. Our objectives are to improve understanding of the relationships between meteorological conditions and air quality during HRBs in Sydney, Australia. We identify the primary meteorological covariates linked to high PM2.5 pollution (particulates

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Policy Effect of China’s Environmental Interview System for Effective Air Quality Governance

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9006
Author(s):  
Xue Jin ◽  
Ussif Rashid Sumaila ◽  
Kedong Yin ◽  
Zhichao Qi
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Environmental Protection ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Interview System

The Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China formally proposed an environmental interview system in May 2014, which applies pressure on local governments to fulfill their responsibility toward environmental protection by conducting face-to-face public interviews with their officials. In this paper, 48 cities that were publicly interviewed from 2014–2020 were considered the experimental group and 48 cities surrounding them were the control group. First, the dynamic panel model is applied to initially determine the effect of the policy. Then, a regression discontinuity method (Sharp RD) is used to analyze the short-term and long-term effects and compare the reasons for the differences observed among the estimates of various types of samples. Finally, a series of robustness tests were also conducted. The results show that the environmental interview system can improve air quality. However, because an emergency short-term local governance system exists at present, the governance effect is not long-term and, therefore, not sustainable. Therefore, it suggests that the government should continue to improve the environmental interview system, establish an optimal environmental protection incentive mechanism, and encourage local governments to implement environmental protection policies effectively in the long term. The results of the research are of great significance to the environmental impact assessment system of the world, especially in countries with similar economic systems, which are facing a trade-off between economic growth and environmental sustainability.

scholarly journals Comparison of Prognostic Accuracy of the quick Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment between Short- & Long-term Mortality in Patients Presenting Outside of The Intensive Care Unit - A Systematic Review & Meta-analysis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
TOH LEONG TAN ◽  
Ying Jing Tang ◽  
Ling Jing Ching ◽  
Noraidatulakma Abdullah ◽  
Hui-min Neoh
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Suspected Infection ◽  
Failure Assessment ◽  
Short Term Mortality ◽  
Short And Long Term ◽  
Qsofa Score ◽  
Long Term Mortality

Objective: In year 2016, quick Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA) was introduced as a better sepsis screening tool compared to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the ability of the qSOFA in predicting short- and long-term mortality among patients outside the intensive care unit setting. Method: Studies reporting on the qSOFA and mortality from MEDLINE (published between 1946 and 15th December 2017) and SCOPUS (published before 15th December 2017). Hand-checking of the references of relevant articles was carried out. Studies were included if they involved inclusion of patients presenting to the ED; usage of Sepsis-3 definition with suspected infection; usage of qSOFA score for mortality prognostication; and written in English. Study details, patient demographics, qSOFA scores, short-term (<30 days) and long-term (≥30 days) mortality were extracted. Two reviewers conducted all reviews and data extraction independently. Results and Discussion: A total of 39 studies met the selection criteria for full text review and only 36 studies were inclided. Data on qSOFA scores and mortality rate were extracted from 36 studies from 15 countries. The pooled odds ratio was 5.5 and 4.7 for short-term and long-term mortality respectively. The overall pooled sensitivity and specificity for the qSOFA was 48% and 85% for short-term mortality and 32% and 92% for long-term mortality, respectively. Studies reporting on short-term mortality were heterogeneous (Tau=24%, I2=94%, P<0.001), while long-term mortality studies were homogenous (Tau=0%, I2<0.001, P=0.52). The factors contributing to heterogeneity may be wide age group, various clinical settings, variation in the timing of qSOFA scoring, and broad range of clinical diagnosis and criteria. There was no publication bias for short-term mortality analysis. Conclusion: qSOFA score showed a poor sensitivity but moderate specificity for both short and long-term mortality prediction in patients with suspected infection. qSOFA score may be a cost-effective tool for sepsis prognostication outside of the ICU setting.

scholarly journals Long-term Exposure to Ambient Fine Particulate Pollution Induces Insulin Resistance and Mitochondrial Alteration in Adipose Tissue

2011 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohua Xu ◽  
Cuiqing Liu ◽  
Zhaobin Xu ◽  
Kevin Tzan ◽  
Mianhua Zhong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Particulate Pollution ◽  
Fine Particulate ◽  
Mitochondrial Alteration

First year of real-time VOC measurements at the SIRTA facility (Paris region, France): diurnal and seasonal variabilities, impact of lockdowns on air quality

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leïla Simon ◽  
Valérie Gros ◽  
Jean-Eudes Petit ◽  
François Truong ◽  
Roland Sarda-Esteve ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Seasonal Variability ◽  
Anthropogenic Sources ◽  
First Year ◽  
Good Representation ◽  
Atmospheric Measurements ◽  
Paris Region ◽  
The Impact

&lt;p&gt;Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) have direct influences on air quality and climate. They also play a key role in atmospheric chemistry, as they are precursors of secondary pollutants, such as ozone (O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;) and secondary organic aerosols (SOA).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Long-term datasets of in-situ atmospheric measurements are crucial to characterize the variability of atmospheric chemical composition. Online and continuous measurements of O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;, NO&lt;sub&gt;x&lt;/sub&gt; and aerosols have been achieved at the SIRTA-ACTRIS facility (Paris region, France), since 2012. Regarding VOCs, they have been measured there for several years thanks to bi-weekly samplings followed by offline Gas Chromatography analysis. However, this method doesn&amp;#8217;t provide a good representation of the temporal variability of VOC concentrations. To tackle this issue, online VOC measurements using a Proton-Transfer-Reaction Quadrupole Mass-Spectrometer (PTR-Q-MS) have been started in January 2020.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The dataset acquired during the first year of online VOC measurements is analyzed, which gives insights on VOC seasonal variability. The additional long-term datasets obtained from co-located measurements (O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;, NO&lt;sub&gt;x&lt;/sub&gt;, aerosol physical and chemical properties, meteorological parameters) are also used for the sake of this study.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Due to Covid-19 pandemic, the year 2020 notably comprised a total lockdown in France in Spring, and a lighter one in Autumn. Therefore, a focus can be made on the impact of these lockdowns on the VOC variability and sources. To this end, the diurnal cycles of VOCs considered markers for anthropogenic sources are carefully investigated. Results notably indicate that markers for traffic and wood burning sources behave quite differently during the Spring lockdown in comparison to the other periods. A source apportionment analysis using positive matrix factorization allows to further document the seasonal variability of VOC sources and the impacts on air quality associated with the lockdown measures.&lt;/p&gt;

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