Accountability analysis of health benefits related to National Action Plan on Air Pollution Prevention and Control in China

Abstract

China is one of the largest producers and consumers of coal in the world. The National Action Plan on Air Pollution Prevention and Control in China (2013–2017) particularly aimed to reduce emissions from coal combustion. Here, we show whether the acute health effects of PM_2.5 changed from 2013 to 2018 and factors that might account for any observed changes in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) and the surrounding areas where there were major reductions in PM_2.5 concentrations. We used a two-stage analysis strategy, with a quasi-Poisson regression model and a random effects meta-analysis, to assess the effects of PM_2.5 on mortality in the 47 counties of BTH. We found that the mean daily PM_2.5 levels and the SO₄²⁻ component ratio dramatically decreased in the study period, which was likely related to the control of coal emissions. Subsequently, the acute effects of PM_2.5 were significantly decreased for total and circulatory mortality. A 10 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 concentrations was associated with a 0.16% (95% CI: 0.08, 0.24%) and 0.02% (95% CI: −0.09, 0.13%) increase in mortality from 2013 to 2015 and from 2016 to 2018, respectively. The changes in air pollution sources or PM_2.5 components appeared to have played a core role in reducing the health effects. The air pollution control measures implemented recently targeting coal emissions taken in China may have resulted in significant health benefits.