Cost of air pollution damage: a status report
Published and unpublished estimates of the cost of air pollution damage are reviewed and national total estimates are given. In addition, cost estimates are developed for air pollution effects on human health, vegetation, materials, and residential property values. Estimates of the cost of air pollution damage to animals and to aesthetic aspects of the environment are not derived. Although discussed at length, the cost of soiling from air pollution is not estimated. The total national cost in 1968 of damage resulting from air pollution was $16.1 billion, which includes $5.2 billion for residential property, $4.7 billion for materials, $6.1 billion for health, and $0.1 billion for vegetation. The cost for each effect is distributed among the several pollutants considered responsible for that effect according to their relative emissions. The same cost is distributed among the sources by their relative emissions. No cost function relations could be developed for various levels of pollution. As a consequence, the pivotal functions of marginal benefit are precluded. The $16.1 billion figure is considered to be a reasonable, conservative estimate.
- OSTI ID:
- 6446597
- Resource Relation:
- Related Information: Publication No. AP-85
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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