Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of the Economic Burden Related to Long-Term PM_2.5 and O₃ Exposure in Greece for the Period 2004–2019

Abstract

Based on the value of statistical life and the willingness to pay methods, we estimated the economic cost resulting from premature mortality associated with fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone exposure across Greece during 2004–2019 under a constant and changing income elasticity scenario. The spatiotemporal trends of the economic burden were also investigated. The total economic burden attributable to premature mortality due to exposure to PM2.5 and O3 for the 16-year period was estimated at EUR 66.34 billion under the constant scenario and at EUR 273.65 billion under the changing scenario. A dramatic decline of the mortality cost was observed from 2009 to 2019 in the changing scenario, as opposed to a less profound downward trend under the constant scenario, where the annual gross domestic product and the consumer price index were not taken into account.

Keywords

• value of statistical life (VSL)
• willingness to pay (WTP)
• PM_2.5 and O₃ pollution
• economic burden
• cost of morbidity and mortality