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Costs And Benefits Of Air Quality Improvement In Hong Kong

Author

Listed:
  • William F. Barron
  • Joseph Liu
  • T. H. Lam
  • C. M. Wong
  • Jean Peters
  • Anthony Hedley

Abstract

A respiratory health survey conducted in Hong Kong in 1989 identified significant health differences between school age children living in an industrial area with poor ambient air quality and those in a control group living in a relatively clean area. In 1990, the government banned the use of high sulphur fuel. As a result, ambient sulfur levels dropped sharply and particulate levels dropped moderately. The avoided costs of doctor consultations alone offset a moderate fraction of the costs of this air quality improvement. If even the lower end of estimates from elsewhere apply to Hong Kong's willingness to pay for symptom relief, such values offset a major share of the costs of the air quality improvement simply through near‐term improvements in health. Considering longer‐term health and other benefits leads one to conclude that the economic benefits likely far outweigh the costs.

Suggested Citation

  • William F. Barron & Joseph Liu & T. H. Lam & C. M. Wong & Jean Peters & Anthony Hedley, 1995. "Costs And Benefits Of Air Quality Improvement In Hong Kong," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 13(4), pages 105-117, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:13:y:1995:i:4:p:105-117
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-7287.1995.tb00736.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Barron, William F., 1993. "Energy related environmental controls Assessing transport and industrial options in Hong Kong," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 21(6), pages 679-690, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Brajer, Victor & Mead, Robert W. & Xiao, Feng, 2006. "Valuing the health impacts of air pollution in Hong Kong," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 17(1), pages 85-102, February.
    2. Younoh Kim & James Manley & Vlad Radoias, 2023. "Indoor air pollution and child development in Indonesia: Stunted by the smoke?," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 41(6), November.
    3. Zhihua Xu & Jingzhu Shan, 2018. "The effect of risk perception on willingness to pay for reductions in the health risks posed by particulate matter 2.5: A case study of Beijing, China," Energy & Environment, , vol. 29(8), pages 1319-1337, December.

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