Air quality and health impact assessment of a truckers' strike in Sao Paulo state, Brazil: A case study

The frequent diesel oil price adjustments and the cost of freight are among the main reasons for Brazilian truckers' strike that occurred in 2018. This event showed the strong influence of the road transport sector in the economy and air quality on different urban centers of Sao Paulo. Air pollutants concentrations were compared during the strike days and control days, considering equivalent meteorological conditions on regions near to highways. Based on pollution reduction results, we calculated the relative risk and avoided deaths attributed to each pollutant analyzed. Economic impacts were evaluated using the Value of Statistical Life. The assays indicated that air pollutant concentrations were significantly reduced in all analyzed highways. The analyzed stretches of roads showed that associated health impacts were about 1.15 and 3.05 avoided deaths due to reductions of PM10 and NO2, respectively, which represent an economy of almost US$ 8 million during the strike. Estimates for a whole year scenario results in 81 (PM10) and 227 (NO2) potential avoided deaths, considering the reductions achieved during the strike, equivalent to a monetary gain of approximately US$ 579 million annually. Our findings provided evidence to support cleaner transportation investments and air quality mitigation actions. •Brazilian truckers' strike was associated to potential health and economic benefits.•The air quality improvement can represent 81 PM10-related avoided deaths annually.•The reduction of air pollution achieved 227 NO2-related avoided deaths annually.•Health outcomes represent a saving of approximately US$ 579 million annually.