THE HEALTH COSTS OF AIR POLLUTION: A SURVEY OF STUDIES PUBLISHED 1984-1989 (PRE-PUBLICATION EDITION)

This monograph is the third in a series of analyses by the American Lung Association to discuss the complex issue of identifying economic costs related to the health-related effects of exposure to outdoor air pollution. These effects include both illness and premature death. Information is provided on health cost information published since 1984 and the economic implications of exposure to air pollution are reexamined in light of this information. Some of the major findings of each health cost assessment reviewed in this monograph are as follows: (a) Annual health cost benefits of $9.4 billion could be realized if air quality in the South Coast Air Basin complied with the federal particulate and ozone standards; benefits rise to $14.3 billion annually with compliance with the stricter California standards; (2) Particulate and ozone air pollution emitted in 4 California air basins in 1979 resulted in $9.6 billion less in health costs than would have resulted if pollution sources operated with control equipment required by regulations in place in 1960; (3) The net present value of nationwide health benefits are estimated to be between $5.3 billion and $9.6 billion as a result of implementing new federal public health standards for fine particulate matter; (4) Annual health benefits nationally of $6.1 billion are estimated to result from implementing a program to limit the concentration of lead in gasoline; (5) Between $218.9 million and $899.3 million in annual health costs could be eliminated nationally by reducing ozone according to seven scenarios; (6) Health benefits worth between $0.7 billion and $1.2 billion per year could be realized in the 31 northeastern United States by reducing 1980 ozone concentrations by 35% to 50%; (7) National health costs worth between $4.43 billion and $93.49 billion per year due to automotive and truck exhaust pollution could be avoided; (8) Annual health costs ranging from $5.1 million to $76.4 million could result for local residents exposed to pollution from a hypothetical coal-fired power plant.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Lung Association

  1726 M Street, NW, Suite 902
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Cannon, J S
• Publication Date: 1990

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 64 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air pollution; Costs; Crash exposure; Economics; Exhaust gases; Health; Lead (Metal); Ozone; Particulates
• Uncontrolled Terms: Exposure
• Subject Areas: Economics; Finance; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Society; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00491966
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1990 12:00AM