Willingness to pay to avoid health risks from road-traffic-related air pollution and noise across five countries

We conducted a multi-country study to estimate the perceived economic values of traffic-related air pollution and noise health risks within the framework of a large European project. We used contingent valuation as a method to assess the willingness-to-pay (WTP) for both types of pollutants simultaneously. We asked respondents how much they would be willing to pay annually to avoid certain health risks from specific pollutants. Three sets of vignettes with different levels of information were provided prior to the WTP questions. These vignettes described qualitative general health risks, a quantitative single health risk related to a pollutant, and a quantitative scenario of combined health risks related to a pollutant. The mean WTP estimates to avoid road-traffic air pollution effects for the three vignettes were: €130 per person per year (pp/y) for general health risks, €80pp/y for a half year shorter in life expectancy, and €330pp/y to a 50% decrease in road-traffic air pollution. Their medians were €40pp/y, €10pp/y and €50pp/y, respectively. The mean WTP estimates to avoid road-traffic noise effects for the three vignettes were: €90pp/y for general health risks, €100pp/y for a 13% increase in severe annoyance, and €320pp/y for a combined-risk scenario related to an increase of a noise level from 50dB to 65dB. Their medians were €20pp/y, €20pp/y and €50pp/y, respectively. Risk perceptions and attitudes as well as environmental and pollutant concerns significantly affected WTP estimates. The observed differences in crude WTP estimates between countries changed considerably when perception-related variables were included in the WTP regression models. For this reason, great care should be taken when performing benefit transfer from studies in one country to another. •WTP to avoid air pollution and noise effects substantially varied by country.•Risk perceptions and environmental concerns affected WTP estimates.•Perception and concern differences affected between-country differences in WTP.•Air pollution WTP is higher than for noise if only qualitative information is given.•WTP to avoid severe annoyance was higher than for 1/2year change in life expectancy.