The economic cost of air pollution in Mangaung metro municipality: A case study in South Africa

Abstract

Economic and domestic activities have been causing a profound deterioration of air quality in developed and developing countries. The health problems arising from air pollution have become apparent which result in welfare losses in society such as increased workdays lost and high health cost. This study shows the mitigating cost and workdays lost as a result air pollution related illness and the factors influencing these economic parameters (mitigating cost and workdays lost). Our results demonstrate the economic impact of air pollution which will provide information that could be used to know the significance of air quality, to value the benefits of air pollution control programs, social benefits (in terms of government subsidising clean energy source), policies or strategies to ensure a safe and acceptable air standard to minimise health effects.

Key words: Air pollution, air quality, workdays lost, mitigating cost.