The economics of air pollution health risks in Russia: A case study of Volgograd

A combined health risk assessment, cost-effectiveness analysis, and benefit-cost analysis is undertaken for direct particulate emissions from 29 stationary source polluters in the city of Volgograd, Russia. Annual particulate-related mortality risks from these stationary sources are estimated to be substantial, with an estimate in the range of 960-2,667 additional deaths per year in this city of one million. The majority of these risks are attributed to two major facilities in the northern part of the city. For several emission reduction projects, the cost-per-life saved was estimated to be quite low. The total net benefits to the city of implementing five of the six identified projects, leading to roughly a 25% reduction in mortality risk, are estimated to be at least $40 million in present value terms. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.