Health benefit modeling and optimization of air pollution control strategies

Abstract

In recent years, Malaysia is experiencing issues of continuous air pollution and transboundary air pollution. The issues are especially felt in areas that record high economic growth and rapid urbanization such as Iskandar Malaysia, a developing economic-growth corridor in Southeast Asia. This has led to increased rate of Particulate Matter emissions, which further led to increased in the rate of respiratory-related health incidences. Many epidemiological studies have proven that particulate matters in the ambient air are associated with adverse health effects. This will eventually affect the existing and future economy of Iskandar Malaysia, where the exposed population may loss their work days and face increased medical spending as well as reduced in their health. This study focuses on quantifying health and economic benefits from the reduction level of ambient Particulate Matter with a size of 10 micrometers or less in diameter (PM10) by using the Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program (BenMAP), a model which is developed by USEPA. Health impact functions are used to quantify the relationship between a change in the PM10 level and a change in the related health effects among the exposed population. Up to date, there are three air monitoring stations that are located in the Iskandar Malaysia region and are operated by the Department of Environment (DOE). The samples for this research include a continuous monitoring data on the daily mean of PM10 for 2010, the 2010 Malaysian Census Data and the number of PM10 related health cases which are specifically focused in the Iskandar Malaysia region. The final outcome of the modeling compares the co-benefits of air pollution reduction between the baseline scenario and the control scenario for PM10 level in Malaysia. The results of this study are useful in eventually optimizing and improving the existing policies and strategies for controlling air pollution and PM10 emission level in Iskandar Malaysia.