Premature Deaths and Economic Losses Attributable to Long- and Short-Term PM 2.5 Exposure in China

In recent years, China has suffered severe particulate matter pollution. Satellite-derived PM 2. 5 datasets and baseline mortality rate data were used to analyze the premature deaths (PDs) and economic losses (ELs) attributable to long-term PM 2. 5 exposure (LTE) and short-term PM 2. 5 exposure (STE) in mainland China. The results illustrated that the PDs attributable to LTE presented an increasing trend between 2000 and 2014 and a fluctuating decreasing trend after 2014. The number of peaked PDs in 2014 was 1. 45 million, and it decreased to 1. 43 million in 2019. From 2000 to 2019, ELs attributable to LTE increased from 93. 83 billion to 523. 02 billion. The PDs attributable to STE revealed a fluctuating upward trend from 2000 to 2013 and a downward trend after 2013. The number of peaked PDs in 2013 was 75. 89 × 10 3 and decreased to 14. 81 × 10 3 in 2019. ELs attributable to STE rose from 3. 56 billion in 2000 to 22. 96 billion in 2013, declining to 5. 78 billion in 2019. The benefits of improving air quality in reducing PDs attributed to LTE were partially offset by the aging population. Therefore, the increase in PDs and ELs attributed to LTE slowed in recent years. Benefit from the decrease in PM 2. 5 concentration, PDs and ELs attributable to STE declined significantly. The results of this study could provide a better understanding of the hazards attributable to PM 2. 5 exposure and provide a reliable theoretical basis for regional air pollution control measures.