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Valuing Air Pollution Mortality in China's Cities

Author

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  • Victor Brajer

    (Department of Economics, California State University-Fullerton, Fullerton, California 92834, USA, vbrajer@fullerton.edu)

  • Robert W. Mead

    (Department of Economics, California State University-Fullerton, Fullerton, California 92834, USA, rmead@fullerton.edu)

Abstract

Although China has made tremendous economic progress in recent years, air pollution continues to exact significant health and economic costs. Using pollution data from 38 Chinese cities and China-based epidemiological functions, this paper estimates some of the economic benefits of reducing urban air pollution. It calculates the averted mortality which would result from the clean-up of particulates, sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide—a pollutant not included in most previous China studies. The paper expands on earlier studies by examining the impact of seasonal variations in pollution levels. Finally, the monetary valuation of pollution-related averted mortality is developed using a China-based valuation study and, for a number of cities, the valuation is compared with city-level GDP.

Suggested Citation

  • Victor Brajer & Robert W. Mead, 2004. "Valuing Air Pollution Mortality in China's Cities," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 41(8), pages 1567-1585, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:41:y:2004:i:8:p:1567-1585
    DOI: 10.1080/0042098042000227019
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Assar Lindbeck, 2008. "Economic–social interaction in China1," The Economics of Transition, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, vol. 16(1), pages 113-139, January.
    3. Jiangtao Hong & Chaher Alzaman & Ali Diabat & Akif Bulgak, 2019. "Sustainability dimensions and PM2.5 in supply chain logistics," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 275(2), pages 339-366, April.
    4. Lindbeck, Assar, 2006. "Economic-Social Interaction during China’s Transition," Working Paper Series 680, Research Institute of Industrial Economics.

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