An assessment of O(3)-related health risks and economic losses in typical regions of China

INTRODUCTION: As one of the key areas for air pollution prevention and control in China, the Fenwei Plain is experiencing serious near-surface O(3) pollution, which is a key issue that needs to be solved urgently. METHODS: Based on pollutant concentration monitoring data and meteorological and health data over the same period, this study analyzed the temporal and spatial characteristics, the relationships with meteorological factors of O(3) pollution, and the health effects and economic losses caused by exposure to O(3) pollution using environmental health risk and environmental value assessment methods in 11 cities on the Fenwei Plain in China from 2014 to 2020. RESULTS: The results showed that O(3) pollution has become increasingly serious on the Fenwei Plain in recent years. The annual average concentration of O(3)_8h_max showed an overall upwards trend, with an increase of 32.39% in 2020 compared to 2014. The mean concentrations observed in summer were the highest, followed by spring and autumn, and the lowest was in winter. The O(3) concentration had a significant positive correlation with air temperature and sunshine hours. The evaluation results of the impact of air pollution on population health showed that the number of premature deaths caused by O(3) pollution fluctuated and increased during 2014–2020. In 2020, the numbers of total, cardiovascular and respiratory deaths attributable to O(3) pollution on the Fenwei Plain were 6,867 (95% CI: 3,739–9,965), 3,652 (95% CI: 1,363–5,905), and 1,257 (95% CI: 747–2,365), respectively, and the total number of premature deaths related to O(3) exposure increased by 48.05% compared with 2014. The health and economic losses attributed to O(3) pollution on the Fenwei Plain during the study period were 44.22 (95% CI: 22.17–69.18), 47.16 (95% CI: 23.64–73.77), 68.28 (95% CI: 34.27–106.31), 114.44 (95% CI: 57.42–177.76), 110.85 (95% CI: 55.45–172.52), 116.41 (95% CI: 58.24–180.74), and 116.81 (95% CI: 58.00–180.88) billion yuan, respectively. In Linfen City, the increasing rate of the number of premature deaths reached 283.39% because the O(3) concentration increased greatly. DISCUSSION: Due to high O(3) concentrations and obvious population growth in Xi’an, the problems of premature death and health and economic losses attributed to O(3) concentrations exceeding the standard value are prominent.