On the basis of PM_2.5 data of the national air quality monitoring sites, local population data, and baseline all-cause mortality rate, PM_2.5-related health economic benefits of the Air Improvement Action Plan implemented in Wuhan in 2013–2017 were investigated using health-impact and valuation functions. Annual avoided premature deaths driven by the average concentration of PM_2.5 decrease were evaluated, and the economic benefits were computed by using the value of statistical life (VSL) method. Results showed that the number of avoided premature deaths in Wuhan are 21,384 (95% confidence interval (CI): 15,004 to 27,255) during 2013–2017, due to the implementation of the Air Improvement Action Plan. According to the VSL method, the obtained economic benefits of Huangpi, Wuchang, Hongshan, Xinzhou, Jiang’an, Hanyang, Jiangxia, Qiaokou, Jianghan, Qingshan, Caidian, Dongxihu, and Hannan District were 8.55, 8.19, 8.04, 7.39, 5.78, 4.84, 4.37, 4.04, 3.90, 3.30, 2.87, 2.42, and 0.66 billion RMB (1 RMB = 0.1417 USD On 14 October 2019), respectively. These economic benefits added up to 64.35 billion RMB (95% CI: 45.15 to 82.02 billion RMB), accounting for 4.80% (95% CI: 3.37% to 6.12%) of the total GDP of Wuhan in 2017. Therefore, in the process of formulating a regional air quality improvement scheme, apart from establishing hierarchical emission-reduction standards and policies, policy makers should give integrated consideration to the relationship between regional economic development, environmental protection and residents’ health benefits. Furthermore, for improving air quality, air quality compensation mechanisms can be established on the basis of the status quo and trends of air quality, population distribution, and economic development factors.

With the rapid development of China’s economy, the demand for water resources continues to sharply increase, which has gradually contributed to serious environmental problems. The Chinese government has proposed establishing a natural resource balance sheet, which is expected to solve this problem by assessing the value of water resources. The main purpose of this study was to assess the value of water resources in Wuhan from 2013 to 2017. Based on a fuzzy mathematical evaluation model, 15 indicators were chosen considering the three main aspects of resources, society, and the environment to construct a water resource evaluation indicator system. In addition, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and entropy weight methods were combined to determine the index weight. Based on this, we calculated the value of water resources in Wuhan from 2013 to 2017. The results demonstrated that the values of water resources in Wuhan from 2013 to 2017 were US$2.910 billion, US$5.006 billion, US$9.223 billion, US$14.167 billion, and US$7.189 billion, respectively. Therefore, this paper provides a scientific foundation for the rational establishment of water prices, the assessment of local natural resource assets, and the preparation of natural resource balance sheets.

With the rapid development of the social economy, China is suffering from severe water scarcity due to improper management. Evaluation of water resource value is a crucial issue for innovative management in regional water resources. In this paper, in consideration of the complexity and uncertainty of water resources, 15 indicators were selected to establish the assessment system for its value in Wuhan City from the following three aspects, namely the environment, resources, and society. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and Entropy Weight Method were combined to calculate the comprehensive weight. An improved set pair analysis (SPA) model was applied to evaluate water resource assets in the period of 2013–2017. For the sake of the dependability of these results, the James Pollution Loss model was utilized to compute loss of water resource value caused by the decline of water quality in the water pollution environment. The results show that the amount of water resource through physical quantitative accounting in Wuhan City fluctuates greatly. The initial change is relatively stable, then surges in 2015 and 2016, but slumps in 2017. The total water resource assets for Wuhan City from 2013 to 2017 are 14.221, 14.833, 28.375, 75.558, and 21.315 billion RMB, respectively. Therefore, water resource value accounting plays an indispensable role in the environmental protection and sustainable development of water, as well as provides a support for comprehensive calculation and management of various valuable natural resources.

Urban industrial complexes have been expanding worldwide, reducing the spatial separation between agricultural, residential, and industrial zones, particularly in developing nations. Urban road dust contamination, a sensitive indicator of urban environmental quality, primarily originates in urbanization and industrialization. Its detrimental impacts on human health arise not only from particulate matter itself but also from toxic and harmful substances embedded within dust particles. Toxic metals in road dust can pose health risks through inhalation, ingestion and contact. To investigate the seasonal patterns, bioaccessibility levels and the potential human health risks linked to toxic metals (Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni), Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), and Chromium (Cr)), 34 dust samples were collected from key roads in proximity to representative industrial facilities in Wuhan’s Qingshan District. The study found that the concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Cu in road dust were within the limits set by the national standard (GB 15618-2018), while Ni and As were not. Seasonally, Ni, As, Pb, Zn, and Cr exhibited higher concentrations during the summer than in other seasons, whereas Cd levels were lowest in spring and highest in autumn, the opposite of Cu. According to the Simplified Bioaccessibility Extraction Test (SBET), the average bioaccessibility rates of toxic metals were Cd > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr > As > Pb. An improved health risk assessment model was developed, integrating metal enrichment, bioaccessibility, and parameter uncertainty. Results indicated that Cd, Ni, Zn, Cu, As, and Cr posed no significant non-carcinogenic risk. However, for children, the carcinogenic risks of Cd and As were relatively high, identifying them as priority control metals. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically monitor As and Cd and regulate their potential emission sources, especially in winter and spring.

Quantitative evaluation of PM2.5-related health economic losses and analysis of their driving factors in Chinese cities

In this study, we utilized multi-regional input–output (MRIO) tables from 2012 to 2017 to determine the spatiotemporal characteristics of CO₂ emissions, air pollutant emissions, and value added associated with trade in different regions and industries, as well as the level of coupling coordination among them. Secondly, structural decomposition analysis (SDA) was used to identify the drivers of changes in the above indicators at the regional level. The results show that consumption-based emissions exceeded those based on production in developed regions such as Jing-Jin and the eastern coastal regions, while the opposite occurred in energy hubs such as the northern coastal and central regions; the results of the value added show higher levels in production areas than in consumption areas in the eastern coastal regions, while the opposite trend was observed in the northwestern regions. In different industries, energy production and heavy manufacturing contributed significantly to CO₂, PM_2.5, and SO₂ emissions, while the service industry contributed more to NO_x and VOC emissions and value added. The relationships among the changes in the three consumption-based indicators were divided into four categories: positive synergies, negative synergies, trade-offs A, and trade-offs B. Recommendations for targeted collaborative management strategies were delineated based on a regional resource-driven classification.