Can the UK meet the World Health Organization PM2.5 interim target of 10 μg m−3 by 2030? Part II: Associated health and economic benefits

• UK health benefits of meeting PM 2.5 WHO target of 10 μg m −3 were quantified • UK health benefits of 11.5 million life-years were projected for 2018–2134. • The associated monetary benefits were up to £300 billion. • Air pollution reduction policies costing up to £2.4 bn per year would be justified. • These findings and recommendations could be applicable to other European cities. Air pollution has extensive, adverse impacts on human health throughout the life course. This study estimated the health and economic benefits that policy at country and city level can have on the UK achieving the PM 2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm) WHO interim target of 10 μg m −3 . Here we quantify and monetise the health benefits using lifetable analysis from the air pollution concentrations created using sophisticated chemical transport models. Modelling predictions in 2030 were made by combining European Union and UK government’s emissions forecasts, with the Climate Change Committee’s Net Zero (NZ) Electric vehicle (EV) forecasts, and in London with the addition of local policies. UK health and monetary benefits of air pollution reductions up to 2030 were substantial with the UK population gaining 11.5 (8.7–12.8) million life years, equivalent to an improvement in average life expectancy of 2 months and monetised air pollution benefits of £218 to £300 billion (summed to 2134). The conclusions from this study contributes to the evidence base on health benefits to advocate for action and are therefore highly relevant to policy makers. From an economic perspective, this study shows that air-pollution-reduction policies costing up to £2.4 (1.8–2.7) billion per year would be justified. Furthermore, the issues addressed here, such as the co-benefit of NZ policy on EV combined with international, national and local policies toward meeting WHO targets, offer a global public health opportunity of major significance for this century and could be applicable to other international cities.