Health benefits valuation of regulatory intervention for air pollution control in thermal power plants in Delhi,India

This study estimates minimum marginal health benefits (morbidity reduction only) of air pollution control and total health benefits arising from regulatory intervention regarding the adoption of the World Bank emission guidelines (WBEG) for thermal power plants (TPPs) in Delhi. The Industrial Source Complex-Short-Term Version–3 (ISCST3) model has been used to estimate the contribution to air pollution from TPPs. The household health production function (avertive behaviour) has been used to value health benefits of air pollution control. The study revealed that the ambient air pollution due to TPPs is reduced by between 62.17% to 83.45% by adopting the WBEG. Annual marginal benefit due to reduction in exposure to air pollution by 1 μg m^?3 is estimated to be US$0.353 per person. Total annual health benefits for adopting the WBEG for TPPs are estimated at US$235.19 million. This study provides a novel methodology to evaluate health benefits of regulatory intervention.     

四川省企业环境经济效益的分析评价

目前对于企业环境经济效益的分析评价,缺乏科学易行的方法。本文根据污染物排放量与经济效益间的关系,提出了单位等标污染负荷利税法,即每排放单位等标污染物所产生的年利税值。据此对四川省6个行业44家企业的环境经济效益进行了统计分析,并对其应用Excel模糊聚类进行了分级评价。结果表明:不同企业间单位等标污染负荷利税值存在多个数量级差异。造纸、纺织企业环境经济效益最差,体现了行业性弊病。制药、建材、机械电子行业企业环境经济效益整体较好,但仍有部分"粗放型"企业环境经济效益差。部分机械电子、化工企业依赖技术革新,环境经济效益优良。与定性分析评价方法相比,单位等标污染负荷利税法更能发现"高产值、高污染"下的误区,该法结合应用Excel模糊聚类分析,可简易、客观分析评价不同企业、行业甚至不同经济规模单元间的环境经济效益。     

Mortality and morbidity benefits of air pollution (SO2 and PM10) absorption attributable to woodland in Britain

Forests in Britain produce social and environmental benefits, in addition to marketable timber outputs. One such non-market benefit is the reduction in air pollution, linked to health impacts (mortality and morbidity). This study assesses the benefits of SO2 and PM10 absorption by trees in terms of extending life expectancy of the population and reducing hospital admissions. Working at a resolution of 1 km2 with woodland over 2 ha, it is estimated that, for Britain as a whole, woodland saves between 5 and 7 deaths, that would otherwise have been brought forward, and between 4 and 6 hospital admissions each year. The economic value of the health effect of woodland is estimated to be at least 900,000 pounds Sterling per year. Smaller areas of woodland, often located closer to population, sometimes strategically planted close to pollution sources, will generate additional air pollution absorption benefits to those estimated here. Researching such benefits would require more detailed data than is available at present for a national study. However, the health benefits of woodland are relatively small in comparison to other non-market forestry benefits.     

废混油钻井液资源化利用技术研究

废钻井液是钻井作业中主要污染源之一,其中含有重金属、碱、盐、油、有机物等多种污染物质,特别是废混油钻井液,油含量更高,是较难解决的问题之一,也是制约油田企业环境质量提高和可持续发展的一大难题。以废钻井液处理为代表的资源化利用技术可有效治理井场废物,将处理后的废钻井液直接用来做井场围堰和平整地面的材料,既可有效地利用废物,消除污染源,又可缓解因污染引起的工农矛盾,减少由钻井开发引发的污染赔款,实现社会效益、经济效益和环境效益的统一。     

ESTIMATING THE BENEFITS OF PHOSPHORUS POLLUTION REDUCTIONS: AN APPLICATION IN THE MINNESOTA RIVER1

ABSTRACT: In order to make economically efficient decisions about water quality improvements, data on both the costs and benefits of these improvements is needed. However, there has been little research on the benefits of reducing phosphorus pollution which implies that policy decisions are not able to make the comparison of costs and benefits that is essential for economic efficiency. This research attempts to ameliorate this situation by providing an estimate of the benefits of a 40 percent reduction in phosphorus pollution in the Minnesota River. A 1997 mail survey gathered information on Minnesota residents'use of a recreational site on the Minnesota River, the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and their willingness to pay for phosphorus reductions in the Minnesota River. The random effects probit model used in this research to investigate household willingness to pay for phosphorus pollution reductions in the Minnesota River incorporates recent innovations in nonmarket valuation methodology by using both revealed and stated preference data. This model estimated annual household willingness to pay for phosphorus reductions in the Minnesota River at $140. These results may be used in combination with cost estimates to determine the economic efficiency of phosphorus clean up.     

Controlling industrial pollution in the developing world

Industrial pollution has become a serious problem in many developing countries during the past two decades. Support for regulation of industrial pollution has remained lukewarm from many policymakers, despite research suggesting large benefits from pollution reduction even in very poor countries. Since 1993, a World Bank research team on the environment has worked in collaboration with pollution control agencies to understand existing regulatory practices, industry's environmental performance, and pollution abatement costs in developing countries. The researchers'ongoing work has already produced a large number of publicly-available research papers and datasets, and is providing the Bank team with considerable expertise and insights into the design of effective pollution control policies.     

加拿大环境产业发展对我国的启示

环境产业具有良好的生态效益和经济效益。发展环境产业是治理环境污染、应对生态危机的治本之策、长远之计。加拿大环境产业已成为支撑本国经济社会发展的支柱产业,本文分析了加拿大政府、企业和科研机构在环境产业发展中相互合作发挥的重要作用,对我国环境产业的改革和发展具有一定的启示。     

宜宾市工业污染源达标排放效益分析

本文对2000年宜宾市工业污染源达标排放进行环境;经济和社会效益分析,其工业污染源治理达标效果是卓有成效的。     

水污染治理效益分析

从水污染治理损益分析中应考虑的项目组成及可能采用的估算方法作一般性的讨论,分析水污染治理方案的可行性,为水污染进行治理的决策部门提供一定的参考依据。     

开展持续清洁生产 确保环境和经济协调发展

辽阳石化分公司现有的装置排放的污染物种类多、浓度高,易对环境造成污染,因而推行清洁生产策略将为企业带来较好的效益。在2002年,该公司对污油装置、二氧化碳装置和双环装置实施了清洁生产方案。同时还通过完善各项规章制度,解决了开展清洁生产的资金和技术问题,分析了污染物产生的原因,制定了切实可行的改革方案。实施新方案后年创效益360万元以上。同时,装置的外排污水量同比减少了40.6%,污水处理费同比降低了48.5%,取得了显著的经济效益和社会效益。     

AN ALTERNATIVE TO WATER POLLUTION CONTROLS1

ABSTRACT: A hypothetical, although realistic, water pollution problem was studied from a property rights viewpoint. Theoretical and economic justifications were developed. A fully-liable, private owner was found to be financially profitable while improving the water quality and providing recreational potential. The example confirmed that property rights provides an answer to stream pollution problems, but contradicted the view that water pollution control must be justified by recreational benefits.     

四川省工业结构的水污染效应及对策分析

通过对四川省主要工业行业经济和污染贡献率（水）的剖析、污染物排放强度与全国平均水平的比较，反映出四川省工业结构的水污染效应状况——支柱产业经济效益差、水污染贡献大、产业结构不合理是造成水环境问题的主导因素；继而提出通过产业结构的优化和升级来控制水环境污染、协调经济和环境发展的对策和建议。     

A SYSTEMS STUDY OF STORM RUNOFF PROBLEMS IN A NEW TOWN1

A system study was conducted on the use of a large number of small reservoirs dispersed throughout an urban community as a means of storm water pollution control. The study was based on an area within the “new city” of Columbia, Maryland. Water collected and stored in the reservoirs is treated for release or use in meeting sub-potable and potable water demands in the community. Design and performance criteria were developed for such a system. A simulation model and a computerized evaluation technique were used to select the optimal locations and system configurations. The results of this study indicated that such a system would be less expensive than a conventional engineering approach to storm water pollution control. Further, the benefits derived from use of the storm water as a water supply can offset a portion of the cost of pollution control. Several secondary benefits also result from this concept including erosion and sediment control, storm flow dampening, and recreational facilities. A program is now underway to demonstrate this concept in Columbia, Maryland.     

FINANCING ABATEMENT OF MINE DRAINAGE POLLUTION: CASE STUDY APPALACHIA1

ABSTRACT A financing program for the prevention, control, and abatement of mine drainage pollution was developed using Appalachia as a case example. The financing program was selected by using three performance criteria in a screening process-applicability of financing program to pollution problem, feasibility of program to unit costs and capturing potential benefits, and feasibility of program to economic and legal consideration. Effluent charges with some modifications are suggested as the appropriate financing mechanism.     

The cost of crop damage caused by ozone air pollution from motor vehicles

The effects of ozone air pollution on the agricultural sector are an important environmental challenge facing policy makers. Most studies of the economic impact of air pollution on agriculture have found that a 25% reduction in ambient ozone would provide benefits of at least $1–2 billion annually in the United States. This paper extends existing research by estimating the benefits of a reduction in emissions from a major source of ozone formation: motor-vehicle emissions. An agricultural production model is combined with an analysis of motor-vehicle emissions and air quality to estimate the impacts of emissions from six different motor-vehicle classes, at both the regional and national level. The benefits to the agricultural sector from completely eliminating ozone precursor emissions from motor vehicles ranges between $3·5 and $6·1 billion annually.     

AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION CONTROL: IMPLICATIONS FROM THE RURAL CLEAN WATER PROGRAM1

ABSTRACT: The Rural Clean Water Program has provided a unique opportunity to study the economics of agricultural nonpoint source pollution control. Several implications for improving the economic efficiency of future agricultural nonpoint source pollution control programs can be drawn from the results. First, individual projects should be targeted towards water bodies that have water quality problems causing economic damages. Considerable variation can exist among areas in the magnitude of economic damages, which may not be proportional to physical impacts. Second, the relative costs and effectiveness of the practices selected to reduce the delivery of pollutants can vary dramatically from one location to another. Early identification and emphasis on cost-effective BMPs can substantially reduce project costs and may make a project economically justifiable that would not otherwise be so. Finally, some projects that do not hive potential economic benefits from water quality improvements exceeding government cost may have on-farm benefits from reduced costs and increased long-term yields that are sufficient to make total benefits (water quality and on-farm) exceed costs.     

Continuing Issues in the Limitations of Pesticide Use in Developing Countries

The rationale for pesticide use in agriculture is that costs associated with pesticide pollution are to be justified by its benefits, but this is not so obvious. Valuing the benefits by simple economic analysis has increased pesticide use in agriculture and consequently produced pesticide-induced “public ills.” This paper attempts to explore the research gaps of the economic and social consequences of pesticide use in developing countries, particularly with an example of Nepal. We argue that although the negative sides of agricultural development, for example- soil, water, and air pollution; pest resistance and resurgence; bioaccumulation, bio-magnification; and loss of biodiversity and ecosystem resilience caused by the use of pesticides in agriculture, are “developmental problems” and are “unintentional,” the magnitude may be increased by undervaluing the problems in the analysis of its economic returns. Despite continuous effort for holistic system analyses for studying complex phenomena like pesticides impacts, the development within the academic science has proceeded in the opposite direction that might have accelerated marginalization of the third world subsistence agricultural communities. We hypothesize that, if these adversities are realized and accounted for, the benefits from the current use of pesticides could be outweighed by the costs of pollution and ill human health. This paper also illustrates different pathways and mechanisms for marginalization. In view of potential and overall negative impacts of pesticide use, we recommend alternative ways of controlling pests such as community integrated pest management (IPM) along with education and training activities. Such measures are likely to reduce the health and environmental costs of pesticide pollution, and also enhance the capabilities of third world agricultural communities in terms of knowledge, decision making, innovation, and policy change.     

Evaluating the multiple benefits of marine water quality improvements: how important are health risk reductions?

Marine water pollution affects many recreational sites around the world. It has impacts not only on recreational activities but also on health risks for those who come into direct contact with the water. Few economic studies have explicitly considered the health risks of bathing in polluted marine waters and none have attempted to separate health benefits from other benefits of marine water quality improvements. This paper uses stated preference techniques to separately evaluate the multiple benefits of improving the quality of marine recreational waters at the Estoril Coast in Portugal. The results indicate that health risk reductions are only a small fraction of the total social benefits of water quality improvements.     

中央空调节能减排技术改造——实例探析

通过实施中央空调系统全方位节能减排技术,优化电网安全用电,节省电费开支,减少建设成本。不仅可收到可观的经济效益,而且能取得良好的社会效益,是我国建设资源节约型、环境友好型社会的必然要求。节能减排,减少污染,应立足本职．把节能减排工作抓紧抓好,推而广之。     

重庆市某小城镇地表水污染控制及可持续发展规划研究

以重庆市渝西地区某小城镇环境规划为例，分析了该镇地表水存在的污染问题，并迎合该镇可持续发展的需要，制定了一系列地表水污染控制规划方案，分析了规划方案的环境效益。