Health and Economic Impact Estimation of Ambient Air Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Pollution in Addis Ababa Using BenMAP-CE Model.

Abstract

Exposure to ambient air particulate matter (PM_2.5) pollution presents a significant public health and economic challenge in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This thesis used the Environmental benefits mapping and analysis program-community edition (BenMAP-CE) software tool to estimate health and economic impact of ambient air PM_2.5 pollution. The study evaluated the impact of decreasing the annual average PM_2.5 concentration in 2019 (32.8 µg/m³) to different international and national air quality standards, including World health Organization's guidelines and the Ethiopian National Ambient Air Quality standard (NAAQS). Results showed that Addis Ababa exceeded both WHO's and Ethiopia's ambient air quality standards in 2019. The study estimated the attributable deaths from cardiovascular, ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lower respiratory infection (LRI) due to PM_2.5 exposure across 3 reduction scenarios. Additionally, economic benefits associated with avoided deaths were quantified using the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Value of Statistical Life (VSL) methodology. The finding demonstrated that reducing PM_2.5 pollution levels led to a notable decrease in mortality rates from various health conditions in Addis Ababa. Moreover substantial economic benefits, amounting to millions of dollars, were observed across all health endpoints, indicating significant societal savings. This study underscores the importance of implementing interventions to mitigate PM_2.5 pollution for improved public health and economic well-being in Addis Ababa and similar urban settings.