Estimation of economic costs of air pollution caused by motor vehicles in Iran (Isfahan)

Soleimani, Mozhgan; Akbari, Nematollah; Saffari, Babak; Haghshenas, Hosein

Estimation of economic costs of air pollution caused by motor vehicles in Iran (Isfahan)

2021

Soleimani, Mozhgan | Akbari, Nematollah | Saffari, Babak | Haghshenas, Hosein

Since mobile sources are one of the most important sources of air pollution, this paper tries to estimate the health effects and economic burden due to fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) concentrations from motor vehicles. In this regard, we calculate the economic costs of air pollution emitted by vehicles in Isfahan over the period from March 2018 to March 2020. The concentration of urban traffic pollution based on the generalized additive model (GAM) as well as spatial distribution of pollution is estimated. Health effects are evaluated using AirQ⁺ updated by the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health. Economic burden of mortality attributable air pollution from traffic is calculated using value of a statistical life (VOSL), and the value of life years (VOLY) approach. The results indicated that the number of deaths attributable to PM₂.₅ from motor vehicles in these two consecutive years was 136 (95%CI: 89–179), and 147 cases (95%CI: 96–194), respectively. The number of years of life lost due to premature death from air pollution was 2079 years annually. The economic costs imposed under VOSL approach were on average USD 51.7 (95%CI: 43–75) million per year, and according to VOLY approach USD 11.5 (95%CI: 9–13) million per year. These results help to analyze the cost-benefit and prioritize control measures to reduce air pollution. In addition, combination of these results with other externality cost of road traffic can take account for urban transportation planning.

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