Health benefits of reducing ambient levels of fine particulate matter: a mortality impact assessment in Taiwan

• Published in: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A Part A, 2023-09, Vol.86 (18), p.653-660
• Main Authors: Tsai, Shang-Shyue, Yang, Chun-Yuh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 2.5; air pollution; Data collection; Epidemiology; Exposure; Fatalities; health benefits; Mortality; Particulate emissions; Particulate matter; Public health
• ISSN: 1528-7394; 1087-2620; 2381-3504
• DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2023.2233985

While numerous studies have found a relationship between long-term exposure to airborne fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) and higher risk of death, few investigations examined the contribution that a reduction of exposure to ambient PM 2.5 levels might exert on mortality rates. This study aimed to collect data on changes in annual average ambient levels of PM 2.5 from 2006 to 2020 and consequent health impact in public health in 65 municipalities in Taiwan. Avoidable premature mortality was used here as an indicator of adverse health impact or health benefits. Annual PM 2.5 levels were averaged for the years 2006, 2010, and 2020. In accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) methodology, differences were estimated in the number of deaths attributed to ambient PM 2.5 exposure which were derived from concentration-response data from prior epidemiological studies. PM 2.5 concentrations were found to have been decreased markedly throughout Taiwan over the two-decade study. As the PM 2.5 concentrations fell, so was the health burden as evidenced by number of deaths concomitantly reduced from 22.4% in 2006 to 8.47% in 2020. Data demonstrated that reducing annual mean levels of PM 2.5 to PM 10 ug/m 3 was associated with decrease in the total burden of mortality, with a 2.22-13.18% fall in estimated number of PM 2.5 -related deaths between 2006 and 2020. Based upon these results, these declines in ambient PM 2.5 levels were correlated with significant improvement in public health (health benefits) and diminished number of deaths in Taiwan.