An evaluation of resident exposure to respirable particulate matter and health economic loss in Beijing during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Previous epidemiological studies showed that air pollutants, especially respirable particulate matter, including PM₁₀, could impose harmful effects on human health. The assessment of the effects of PM₁₀ on mortality and morbidity makes an important basis for enhancing pollution control efforts, and for protecting public health. In this study, we measured the levels of Beijing residents' exposure to PM₁₀ during three different time periods around the Beijing Olympic Games held in 2008, and calculated the economic cost associated with human health. A comparative analysis of human exposure to PM₁₀ and associated health economics was also made to see the difference between 2005 and 2008. GIS technology was employed to interpolate the distribution of population and PM₁₀ data collected by 27 stations at a scale of 1 km × 1 km. Study results show that Beijing's population is distributed in a highly inhomogeneous manner, with the majority of people dwelling in the city proper. During the Olympic Games, population-weighted PM₁₀ exposure came down by 46% and 19% respectively, compared with the pre-OG and the post-OG periods. Consequently, the economic cost associated with human health during the Games came down by 38% and 16% respectively, compared with the pre-OG and the post-OG periods. Comparative analysis shows that during the Olympic Games, both PM₁₀ and the economic cost associated with health as a proportion of GDP sat at the bottom of the 4-year statistics, indicating that in addition to favorable weather conditions, enhanced traffic and emission control policies and measures have produced a noticeable effect on PM₁₀ reduction.