VoxChina column: Air Pollution, Health Spending and Willingness to Pay for Clean Air in China

Recent VoxChina column by Shanjun Li, Deyu Rao, Nahim Bin Zahur, Panle Jia Barwick

Aug 23, 2017

Title: Air Pollution, Health Spending and Willingness to Pay for Clean Air in China

Abstract: A study shows that reducing PM2.5 in China can lead to significant health benefit. A reduction of PM2.5 by 10 μg/m3 (about 20% from the current level) could result in an annual saving of 75 billion Yuan (or over 2%) in healthcare expenditure. The benefit from improved air quality proposed by recent national policies in China could justify large investment in cleanup activities.