Regions that benefit the most from reducing PM2.5 emissions tend to be those with higher baseline pollution levels and dense populations, but the distribution of benefits can vary based on local sources and atmospheric chemistry.
United States
- Midwest: This region sees the greatest health benefits per capita from reducing PM2.5 emissions due to its combination of industrial emissions, population density, and atmospheric conditions. The Midwest consistently emerges in studies as a top beneficiary of PM2.5 reductions.
- Southwest: Retains about 95% of the health benefits from its own emissions removal, indicating that reductions in local emissions significantly improve regional air quality and health outcomes.
- Mountain Region: Retains only about 32% of the health benefits from its own emissions removal, suggesting that a substantial fraction of benefits from emission reductions here accrue to downwind regions rather than locally.
- Nationwide: Reducing energy-related sector emissions (electric power, transportation, building, industrial) could prevent over 53,000 premature deaths annually in the contiguous US and yield economic benefits of around $600 billion annually.
Europe
- Central and Eastern Europe (Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria) are notable regions where reductions in PM2.5 and ozone precursor emissions from low-carbon policies bring significant co-benefits in air quality, especially related to reductions in nitrate aerosol and methane emissions.
General Patterns
- Regions with significant fossil-fuel combustion sources, especially from power generation, transportation, and industry, benefit greatly from PM2.5 reductions.
- The health benefits are often both local and regional, with some areas retaining most benefits locally (e.g., Southwest US), while others share benefits across states or regions due to atmospheric transport mechanisms.
- Broader climate policies aligned with the Paris Agreement or low-carbon futures lead to substantial improvements in PM2.5 and related ozone pollution, translating into widespread health benefits across multiple regions and populations.
In summary, the Midwest US sees the highest per capita health gains domestically, while the Southwest benefits heavily on a local scale. Central and eastern European countries also stand out for gains linked to coordinated low-carbon and pollution mitigation efforts. Overall, regions with more intensive energy-related emissions and higher population densities tend to gain the most from reducing PM2.5 emissions.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-regions-benefit-the-most-from-reducing-pm2-5-emissions/
