Stronger policy required to substantially reduce deaths from PM2.5 pollution in China

TLDR

Air pollution kills nearly 1 million people per year in China, and the 2013‑2017 Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan significantly reduced PM₂.₅ concentrations. The study aims to clarify the health benefits of the APPCAP. The authors analyze spatiotemporal dynamics of deaths attributable to PM₂.₅ and APPCAP contributions using decomposition analysis. Although DAPP rose 36.1 % from 2000 to 2017, the APPCAP cut 2017 deaths by 64 000 (6.8 %) versus 2013, yet further major reductions are unlikely, so more ambitious policies are needed to meet SDG 3 by 2030.

Abstract

Abstract Air pollution kills nearly 1 million people per year in China. In response, the Chinese government implemented the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan (APPCAP) from 2013 to 2017 which had a significant impact on reducing PM 2.5 concentration. However, the health benefits of the APPCAP are not well understood. Here we examine the spatiotemporal dynamics of annual deaths attributable to PM 2.5 pollution (DAPP) in China and the contribution from the APPCAP using decomposition analysis. Despite a 36.1% increase in DAPP from 2000 to 2017, The APPCAP-induced improvement in air quality achieved substantial health benefits, with the DAPP in 2017 reduced by 64 thousand (6.8%) compared to 2013. However, the policy is unlikely to result in further major reductions in DAPP and more ambitious policies are required to reduce the health impacts of air pollution by 2030 and meet the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 3.