Study on the health effects of air pollution in Beijing

Abstract

The air quality in Beijing and associated health effects have been of some concern to the world for many years. Chinese researchers have undertaken a series of studies related to health effects. Evidence suggests that the air quality has improved vastly in recent years. The annual levels of ambient SO₂, NO₂ and PM₁₀ were 36, 49 and 122 mcg/m³ in 2008, respectively, showing a 43.8%, 30.9% and 26.1% reduction in the 2001 levels. A 10 µg/m³ decrease in ambient SO₂ and PM₁₀ has resulted in the daily cardiovascular death rate being reduced by 0.71% (0.13%∼1.31%) and 0.35% (0.13%∼0.57%). This implies that the measures implemented to control air pollution have been successful. The health of Beijing’s urban residents has benefited.

Keywords:

• Air quality
• Health effects
• Exposure‐response relationships
• Health benefits
• Quantitative evaluation