Proximate determinants of particulate matter (PM2.5) emission, mortality and life expectancy in Europe, Central Asia, Australia, Canada and the US.
BACKGROUND
The growing concern with environmental related impacts on mortality and morbidity means that the conceptual framework of environment-health-economic policy nexus is salient in the global debate on air pollution.


OBJECTIVES
With time series data spanning 2000-2016, this study explored the proximate determinants of ambient air pollution, mortality, and life expectancy in North America, Europe & Central Asia, and East Asia & Pacific regions.


METHODS
The study applied historical data on urban population, total pollution, energy consumption, GDP per capita, life expectancy, mortality rate and industrial PM2.5 emissions to develop six parsimonious models using the generalized least squares (GLS) random-effects model estimation with first-order autoregressive [AR(1)] disturbance across 54 countries.


RESULTS
An increase in income level by 1% declined mortality rate by 0.01% and increased longevity by ~0.02% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]) in the long-run. An increase in industrial PM2.5 emissions per capita by 1% decreased life expectancy by 0.004% and mortality rate by 0.02% (95% CI). Intensification of energy consumption and its related services by 1% were found to increase industrial PM2.5 emissions by 0.42-0.45% (95% CI). An inversed-U shaped curve between PM2.5 emissions per capita and income levels was found at a turning point of US$ 48,061. The validity of an environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis between ambient air pollution and urbanization was confirmed, while a rapid increase in population had a significant positive impact on ambient air pollution.


CONCLUSION
Ambient air pollution contributes significantly in reducing life expectancy and increasing mortality. However, sustained economic development, along with energy efficiency, and sustainable urban settlement planning and management are potential options for reducing ambient air pollution while improving quality of life and environmental sustainability.
['Sarkodie|Samuel Asumadu|SA|', 'Strezov|Vladimir|V|', 'Jiang|Yijiao|Y|', 'Evans|Tim|T|']
D000393:Air Pollutants D000397:Air Pollution D001208:Asia D001315:Australia D004781:Environmental Exposure D005060:Europe D005202:Far East D008017:Life Expectancy D009026:Mortality D009656:North America D052638:Particulate Matter D011788:Quality of Life
Air pollution Energy consumption Mortality rate Environmental sustainability EKC hypothesis Panel data