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Health Effects of
Air Pollution in
Hyderabad
Adverse
health effects attributable to air pollution are an important
public health problem. Air pollutants such as particulate matter
have damaging effects on human health. Estimates of the health
damages associated with air pollution are required to assess the
size of the problem and to evaluate the impact of specific
pollution control measures. The IES programme was designed to
integrate solutions for multiple benefits. The health effects
analysis study aimed to identify and analyze the air quality,
public health and GHG mitigation “co-benefits “ in
transportation and industrial sectors, to develop an initial
estimation of the health impacts of PM10 (Particulate
matter of 10 microns diameter) in Hyderabad and their social
costs. The analysis was conducted for Business as Usual (BAU) and
four identified alternative mitigation scenarios. The magnitude of
health impacts in relation to PM10 exposure was
calculated using both a health risk assessment approach and
percentage increases of mortality or morbidity per unit increase
of air pollutant concentration. The analysis was based on
Concentration Response (CR) functions derived from available
epidemiological studies. Health benefits were computed using Human
Capital Approach (HCA) for mortality valuation, and the Cost of
Illness (COI) approach for valuing morbidity. Transportation
sector is the largest contributor to air emissions (approx. 70% of
the total load) in
Hyderabad
. The effective bus transit mitigation scenario resulted in, 1/3rd
reduction of PM10 concentrations compared to BAU
levels, and the most significant decreases in mortality and
occurrence of CVD and other respiratory diseases. The
transportation sector was recognized as an area, where significant
air quality and public health benefits could be realized through
the IES, India Analysis. The project started in November, 2002 and
was funded by the USAID[1].
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