Air pollution-induced health impacts and health economic losses in China driven by US demand exports

Can factor substitution reduce the shadow price of air pollution embodied in international trade? A worldwide perspective

The calculation of trade-embodied air pollution (TEAP) and its economic losses can be reasonably used to assess the impact of transboundary air pollution. However, these air pollutants, which are associated with international trade, can be easily ignored due to their concealment. Based on this, the global multiregional input‒output model (MRIO) is used to quantify the volume of five air pollutants that are embodied in the trade of 20 countries from 2000 to 2016. Then, the shadow price of trade-embodied air pollution (SPTEAP) and the elasticity of factor substitution (EFS) are both calculated by applying the translog production function. Finally, impulse response analysis is used to study the dynamic impact of EFS on the SPTEAP. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) All countries experienced a mass transfer of TEAP, among which China and the USA are the developing and developed countries with the largest amount of TEAP transfers, respectively. (2) The SPTEAP and EFS vary greatly among countries, and these values are generally higher in developed countries than in developing countries. The relationship between the three EFSs can be expressed as [Formula: see text] in all countries, thus indicating that improving the technological level of a country is the best solution for reducing the TEAP in that country while incurring the lowest cost and the least difficulty. (3) Over the long run, the increase in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] reduces the SPTEAP. Conversely, an increase in [Formula: see text] increases the SPTEAP. Therefore, policymakers should weigh these three factors according to the fluctuation of the SPTEAP and constantly adjust the allocation structure and ratio of these factors to maximize the benefits of transboundary air pollution governance.

Effects of thermal treatment of food using barbecue fuels on ambient air and beach sands within recreation facilities

Organised bathing areas located within leisure facilities, in addition to the function typical of their purpose, allow in most cases the use of their own barbecue facilities. This type of cooking of food before consumption is very popular during leisure time at the waterfront. However, cooking food on a barbecue produces fumes emitted from both the fuel being burned and the food being grilled. In addition, the fat from the grilled food falls on the hearth, contributing to the release of further toxic compounds and, in many cases, together with other exhaust fumes, causing considerable smoke and the summer smog effect. Such cumulative gases emitted by irregularly dispersed barbecues repeatedly irritate the respiratory tract of beachgoers in the area of these devices, and the residue of unburned barbecue fuel contaminates the resting area. Small pieces of charcoal of various textures tend to sink into the sand when exposed to the elements and can pose a risk to young children playing on the beach by causing choking and minor injuries. The study revealed an assumed range of exposure to dust and gases emitted from barbecuing that extended up to 40 m from the hearth. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the thermal processing of food using barbecue fuels could lead to increased contamination of beach sands from the fuel itself and food storage materials. Therefore, taking into account the studies carried out showing the adverse effects of active barbecues on beach sands and, above all, the atmospheric air and directly on beachgoers, administrators of recreational facilities should strive to concentrate these devices at a distance (up to several tens of metres) from beaches and bathing areas.

Impacts of haze and nitrogen oxide alleviation on summertime ozone formation: A modeling study over the Yangtze River Delta, China

The strict emission control measures have profoundly changed the air pollution in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, China. However, the impacts of decreasing fine particulates (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) on summer ozone (O3) formation still remain disputable. We perform simulations in the 2018 summer over the YRD using the WRF-Chem model that considers the aerosol radiative forcing (ARF) and HO2 heterogeneous loss on aerosol surface. The model reasonably reproduces the measured spatiotemporal surface O3 and PM2.5 concentrations and aerosol compositions. Model sensitivity experiments show that the NOx mitigation during recent years changes daytime O3 formation in summer from the transition regime to the NOx-sensitive regime in the YRD. The decreasing NOx emission generally weakens O3 formation and lowers ambient O3 levels in summer during recent years, except for some urban centers of megacities. While, the haze alleviation characterized by a decline in ambient PM2.5 concentration in the past years largely counteracts the daytime O3 decrease caused by NOx mitigation, largely contributing to the persistently high levels of summertime O3. The counteracting effect is dominantly attributed to the attenuated ARF and minorly contributed by the suppressed HO2 uptake and heterogeneous loss on aerosol surface. These results highlight that the repeated O3 pollution in the YRD is closely associated with NOx and haze alleviation and more efforts must be taken to achieve lower O3 levels.

Long-term spatiotemporal evolution and coordinated control of air pollutants in a typical mega-mountain city of Cheng-Yu region under the "dual carbon" goal

Clarifying the spatiotemporal distribution and impact mechanism of pollution is the prerequisite for megacities to formulate relevant air pollution prevention and control measures and achieve carbon neutrality goals. Chongqing is one of the dual-core key megacities in Cheng-Yu region and as a typical mountain-city in China, environmental problems are complex and sensitive. This research aims to investigate the exceeding standard levels and spatio-temporal evolution of criteria pollutants between 2014 and 2020. The results indicated that PM10, PM2.5, CO and SO2 were decreased significantly by 45.91%, 52.86%, 38.89% and 66.67%, respectively. Conversely, the concentration of pollutant O3 present a fluctuating growth and found a "seesaw" phenomenon between it and PM. Furthermore, PM and O3 are highest in winter and summer, respectively. SO2, NO2, CO, and PM showed a "U-shaped", and O3 showed an inverted "U-shaped" seasonal variation. PM and O3 concentrations are still far behind the WHO, 2021AQGs standards. Significant spatial heterogeneity was observed in air pollution distribution. These results are of great significance for Chongqing to achieve "double control and double reduction" of PM2.5 and O3 pollution, and formulate a regional carbon peaking roadmap under climate coordination. Besides, it can provide an important platform for exploring air pollution in typical terrain around the world and provide references for related epidemiological research.Implications: Chongqing is one of the dual-core key megacities in Cheng-Yu region and as a typical mountain city, environmental problems are complex and sensitive. Under the background of the "14th Five-Year Plan", the construction of the "Cheng-Yu Dual-City Economic Circle" and the "Dual-Carbon" goal, this article comprehensively discussed the annual and seasonal excess levels and spatiotemporal evolution of pollutants under the multiple policy and the newest international standards (WHO,2021AQG) backgrounds from 2014 to 2020 in Chongqing. Furthermore, suggestions and measures related to the collaborative management of pollutants were discussed. Finally, limitations and recommendations were also put forward.Clarifying the spatiotemporal distribution and impact mechanism of pollution is the prerequisite for cities to formulate relevant air pollution control measures and achieve carbon neutrality goals. This study is of great significance for Chongqing to achieve "double control and double reduction" of PM2.5 and O3 pollution, study and formulate a regional carbon peaking roadmap under climate coordination and an action plan for sustained improvement of air quality.In addition, this research can advanced our understanding of air pollution in complex terrain. Furthermore, it also promote the construction of the China national strategic Cheng-Yu economic circle and build a beautiful west. Moreover, it provides scientific insights for local policymakers to guide smart urban planning, industrial layout, energy structure, and transportation planning to improve air quality throughout the Cheng-Yu region. Finally, this is also conducive to future scientific research in other regions of China, and even megacities with complex terrain in the world.

Does environmental regulation improve public health? Evidence from China's Two Control Zones policy

Improving public health is the premise of sustainable human development and an essential condition of economic growth. However, increasing severe environmental pollution poses a threat to public health. Implementing environmental regulation policy has become a meaningful way to control environmental pollution and the basis and guarantee for achieving public health. This paper aims to study the impact of environmental regulation on public health. The Two Control Zones (TCZ) policy is the earliest and stricter environmental regulation in China. Based on the policy experiment of TCZ, this paper analyzes the role of TCZ policy in improving public health using the DID model and data from 112 cities. The study finds that the TCZ policy can significantly improve public health, and this improvement effect was continuous and lagging. The results of benchmark regression show that the implementation of the TCZ policy has reduced the incidence rate of respiratory diseases in TCZ areas by 5.7%. When considering city heterogeneity in terms of economic and geographical conditions, the study further found that the impact of improvement is largest for cities in more heavily non-provincial capital and central and western regions, respectively. In addition, the results of mediating test show that TCZ policy improves public health by reducing environmental pollution. Our research fills the gap in the literature on the micro effects of environmental regulation policy on public health in developing countries. The government should prioritize environmental pollution control through reasonable environmental regulation policies. The government should strengthen environmental information disclosure to remind the public to deal with air pollution. The government and enterprises also should take various environmental protection measures to reduce air pollution emissions.