Evaluation of the annual economic costs associated with PM2.5-based health damage-a case study in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Pollution-related air quality deterioration has affected public health in many large cities worldwide, including Ho Chi Minh city (HCMC) in Vietnam. The health effects in this area attributed to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) account for 81.31% of all major air pollutant-related deaths. Over the past two decades, epidemiological studies have demonstrated that both short- and long-term PM2.5 pollution exposures are associated with increased mortality and morbidity. However, research on the economic damages caused by this type of pollution is lacking. The goal of this study was to assess PM2.5-related human health impacts and the corresponding economic damage in HCMC. The modelling approach applied in this study, including the coupled Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF)/Community Multiscale Air Quality Modelling System (CMAQ) models, for estimating PM2.5 distribution was combined with the models of short-term human health impacts and economic valuation quantification. Results indicated the short-term effects of health endpoints caused by PM2.5, including 174 (95% CI: 16; 340) premature deaths, 117,632 (95% CI: 231, 850; 368,926) hospital admission cases and 162,455 (95% CI: - 710.465; 531,153) emergency visits. The total economic losses have been estimated to exceed 3 trillion VND (equivalent to approximately 410 million USD), accounting for approximately 0.25% of the total gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of HCMC in 2018. Therefore, the results of this study provide compelling and up-to-date evidence for HCMC's policymakers to propose PM2.5 pollution control measures and develop a clean air action plan with Vision 2025 to reduce adverse impacts on public health and obtain economic benefits.