Economic burden of transport related pollution in Australia

Abstract

Introduction: Air pollution is a significant global concern due to its adverse impact on public health even at low levels. In Australia, the transportation sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas and other air pollution emissions, which are known to increase the risk of heat stress, cause respiratory illness, and spread infectious diseases. Hence, evaluating the economic burden is important for policy decision-making and mitigation efforts made on clean energy technologies. Methods: This study employed an epidemiology-based exposure-response function to estimate the number of health cases attributed to transport-related air pollution. PM10 was chosen to capture the overall health effect of transportation emission-related pollutant. The value of statistical life was computed using a refined human-capital approach that considers the loss of productivity at formal workplaces, as well as the loss of household and community production. The total economic burden combined the costs of mortality and morbidity cases. Results: The analysis results suggested that in 2018, based on the assumptions of this study, transport emissions contributed towards 1,000 to 2,550 premature deaths and approximately 26,700 incidences of cardiovascular hospitalisations, asthma attacks, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease episodes, resulting in a total economic burden of A$910 million. Conclusion: The cost estimation provides an estimate of the economic burden due to transport-related pollution. With more up-to-date emission measurements, more detailed assessment of utilising surrogate pollutant, and more accurate pollutant threshold level for health effect, the current estimation can be updated in the future.