Can the UK meet the World Health Organization PM2.5 interim target of 10 μg m−3 by 2030? Part II: associated health and economic benefits
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Air pollution has extensive, adverse impacts on human health throughout the life course. This study estimated the health and economic benefits that policy at country and city level can have on the UK achieving the PM2.5 (particles with an aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm) WHO interim target of 10 μg m−3. Here we quantify and monetise the health benefits using lifetable analysis from the air pollution concentrations created using sophisticated chemical transport models. Modelling predictions in 2030 were made by combining European Union and UK government’s emissions forecasts, with the Climate Change Committee’s Net Zero (NZ) Electric vehicle (EV) forecasts, and in London with the addition of local policies. UK health and monetary benefits of air pollution reductions up to 2030 were substantial with the UK population gaining 11.5 (8.7–12.8) million life years, equivalent to an improvement in average life expectancy of 2 months and monetised air pollution benefits of £218 to £300 billion (summed to 2134). The conclusions from this study contributes to the evidence base on health benefits to advocate for action and are therefore highly relevant to policy makers. From an economic perspective, this study shows that air-pollution-reduction policies costing up to £2.4 (1.8–2.7) billion per year would be justified. Furthermore, the issues addressed here, such as the co-benefit of NZ policy on EV combined with international, national and local policies toward meeting WHO targets, offer a global public health opportunity of major significance for this century and could be applicable to other international cities.
Date Issued
2026-03-01
Date Acceptance
2026-03-06
Citation
Environment International, 2026, 209
ISSN
0160-4120
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Journal / Book Title
Environment International
Volume
209
Copyright Statement
© 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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Publication Status
Published
Article Number
110189
Date Publish Online
2026-03-11