Air pollution is a serious environmental and health problem that affects millions of people around the world. Exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) and ground-level ozone (O3) can increase the risk of premature death from various causes, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. But what is the economic impact of air pollution on society?
A recent study by Psistaki et al. presented at the 16th International Conference on Meteorology, Climatology and Atmospheric Physics—COMECAP 2023 estimated the economic burden of premature mortality related to long-term exposure to PM2.5 and O3 in Greece from 2004 to 2019. The study used data from the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service, the Hellenic Statistical Authority, and the demographic censuses to calculate the health impacts and the economic costs using the value of statistical life and willingness to pay methods.
The study also revealed the spatiotemporal trends of the economic loss and suggested possible ways to regulate air pollution development. The results highlight the need for effective policies and measures to reduce air pollution levels and protect public health and welfare in Greece.
Presenter
Dr Anastasia Paschalidou
Associate Professor in Meteorology-Atmospheric Pollution, Democritus University of Thrace (Greece)
Dr Anastasia Paschalidou is Associate Professor in “Meteorology-Atmospheric Pollution” in the Department of Forestry and Management of the Environment and Natural Resources, Democritus University of Thrace (Greece).
Her main research interest is in the field of Biometeorology and specifically the impact of weather and atmospheric pollution on public health.
She is the author of numerous publications in international scientific journals and conference proceedings and she has participated in a significant number of national/international research projects dealing with environmental health. She also serves as Associate Editor in the scientific journal “Science of the Total Environment”, ELSEVIER.
