Summary
Epidemiological studies have reported significant associations between urban concentrations of air pollution and cardiovascular mortality and respiratory mortality. In this context, a governmental intervention is required to formulate policies that contribute to increase air quality, and cost-benefit analysis may be an important tool to evaluate the environmental legislation. Reductions in risk of death are arguably the most important benefit underlying environmental programmes that aim to reduce air pollution. Valuing health benefits associated with air pollution require site-specific parameters that demand a great effort of research and data collection. This study presents the several alternative methods and approaches used by environmental economists to estimate willingnessto-pay measures to reduce risks to life and presents some preliminary estimates for Brazil obtained through a contingent valuation study.
PhD research student, University of Bath. CNPq, an agency of the Brazilian government dedicated to scientific and technological development, supported the present study.
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Toley, G., Kenkel, D. and Fabian, R. (1994) Valuing Health for Policy: An Economic Approach. University of Chicago Press.
Viscusi, W.K. and Aldy, J.E. (2003) The Value of a Statistical Life: A Critical Review of Market Estimates Throughout the World NBER Working Paper no. 9487. http://www.nber.org/papers/w9487.
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© 2004 Ramon Arigoni Ortiz
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Ortiz, R.A. (2004). Willingness to Pay for Reduction in Risk of Mortality due to Air Pollution in Brazil: Preliminary Results. In: Winnett, A. (eds) Towards an Environment Research Agenda. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230554429_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230554429_5
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