Public health and economic impact assessment of PM2.5 from open biomass burning over countries in mainland Southeast Asia during the smog episode

Abstract

PM2.5 is considered the principal air pollutant caused by open biomass burning (OBB) in Mainland Southeast Asia (MSEA) and significant adverse health effects and economic burdens. The goals of this work are to conduct a literature review on relative measures of the effect associated with the exposure to OBB emission in MSEA, to analyze the impact of OBB emission on PM2.5 concentration in MSEA using the dispersion model, and to estimate the public health and economic impacts associated with the exposure to PM2.5 from OBB on regional and national scales using Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program during a smog episode. This work found that OBB was the largest emission source in MSEA, contributing 57% to the PM2.5 concentrations, with the substantial OBB impact was found in Northern Laos and Eastern Myanmar. As a result, the exposure to PM2.5 from OBB was estimated to contribute a substantial number of deaths regarding all-cause (78,276 cases - 95% CI: 62,915–92,629), respiratory disease (6,716 cases – 95% CI: 3,639–9,482), and cardiovascular disease (1,076 cases – 95% CI: 490-1,615). The economic impact was estimated at 23.28 billion (95% CI: 18.69–27.57), 1.90 billion (95% CI: 0.88–2.40), and 0.44 billion (95% CI: 0.20–0.67) USD, respectively. OBB emission caused the greatest public health and economic impact in Myanmar, while the smallest impact was found in Cambodia. Our study provides policymakers with quantitative estimates of the OBB impacts so that they can develop appropriate control measures at the regional and national levels in MSEA.