Health costs of PM

A recent scientific study has made new estimates of the marginal social cost per tonne of air pollutant emitted, focussing on the health damage caused by excessive levels of PM_2.5 in the air. The pollutants covered are the inert species of primary PM (i.e. elemental carbon and fugitive dust) and the inorganic PM_2.5 precursors (i.e. SO₂, NOx and NH₃).

Based on 2005 emission levels, the seasonal-average costs in the United States were estimated at US$ 88 000-130 000/tonne PM_2.5; 14 000-24 000/t SO2; 3’800-14 000/t NOx; and 23 000-66 000/t NH₃. The aggregated annual cost amounted to more than US$ 1 000 billion, of which 330 billion for PM_2.5; 320 billion for SO₂; 210 billion for NOx; and 160 billion for NH₃.

The study: “Public health costs of primary PM_2.5 and inorganic PM2_.5 precursor emissions in the United States.” By J. Heo, P.J. Adams and H.O. Gao. Published in Environmental Science & Technology, 6 May 2016.

In this issue

Paris changes everything

The Paris Agreement constitutes a global turning point away from fossil fuels and toward 100% renewable energy.

Editorial: No viable future for coal anywhere

The UN climate conference in Paris last December decided to limit the temperature increase to well below 2°C/1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Paths to a sustainable agricultural system

An integrated food and agricultural policy and changes in consumption patterns are holistic approaches needed to tackle emissions from agriculture.

Targets aren’t enough, but gap can be closed

Europe’s solar and wind initiatives, if both implemented, could increase Europe’s climate target of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 to 60%.

Coal kills across borders

Every coal-fired power station switched off will bring great benefits that reach beyond national borders, for both human health and the climate.

Europe’s biggest polluters

Polish lignite plant Belchatow and British coal plant Drax dominate Europe’s most polluting point sources in 2014.

A phase-out plan for coal in Europe

Very old and high-emitting plants are easy to replace with renewables and improvements in energy efficiency.

Lignite power developments in Europe

Several European countries are investing in lignite mining, despite the fact that the industry faces declining profit margins in competition with low-carbon energy production.

New watered-down EU air pollution targets

Compared to the Commission’s proposal, the relaxed targets finally agreed by member states and parliament will result in thousands of additional cases of premature death.

10 countries still breach EU’s air pollution limits

Nitrogen oxides from transport and ammonia from agriculture are still being emitted above the legal limits of the NEC directive.

Many ways to cut ship NOx emissions

Establishing NOx Emission Control Areas would significantly reduce ship NOx emissions by 2040 – introducing economic instruments could cut emissions faster and further.

OECD warns of rising costs of air pollution

Outdoor air pollution could cause up to nine million premature deaths a year by 2060 and cost US$ 3.3 trillion annually as a result of sick days, healthcare expenditure and reduced agricultural output, unless action is taken.