Health risk and external costs assessment of PM2.5 in Beijing during the “Five-year Clean Air Action Plan”

Aiming to understanding the impact of PM2.5 pollution on population health and local economies in Beijing during the “Five-year Clean Air Action Plan”, the health risk and economic losses of PM2.5 during the middle three years (2014–2016) were assessed. Results showed that the number of people affected by PM2.5 was gradually decreasing with the reduction of PM2.5 concentration from 2014 to 2016. The total impacted population reached 39573, 23207 and 20642 in 2014–2016, respectively. The premature death related to PM2.5 pollution respectively accounted for 7.85%, 4.32% and 3.56% to the total number of death in 2014–2016. And about 32% of premature death associated with PM2.5 was contributed by lung cancer. Respiratory hospital admission accounted for the largest number of people among the six health endpoints. The external costs associated with PM2.5 pollution might reach 2.9, 1.9 and 1.7 billions USD in 2014–2016, which accounted for 8.74‰, 5.37‰ and 4.51‰ of GDP in Beijing, respectively. Chaoyang and Haidian districts were the most affected area, while Yanqing, Huairou and Mentougou districts were the least affected areas. Spatial distribution of permanent residents and premature death associated with three mortality endpoints in Beijing in 2016. [Display omitted] •The health risk of PM2.5 exposure was gradually reduced with the implementation of the “Five-year Clean Air Action Plan”.•About 32% of premature death associated with PM2.5 was contributed by lung cancer.•The economic losses associated with PM2.5 pollution reached 2.9, 1.9 and 1.7 billions USD in 2014, 2015 and 2016.•Chaoyang and Haidian districts suffered the highest economic losses due to PM2.5 pollution.