The economic burden of premature mortality attributable to ambient PM2.5 in Iran, a national analysis, 2001–2016

This study aimed to estimate the years of potential productive life lost (YPPLL) and the cost of lost productivity due to premature mortality attributable to ambient PM2.5 in Iran from 2000 to 2016. To quantify the burden of air pollution-related premature mortality: the number of deaths, YPPLL, and the economic costs of productivity losses were used. The human capital approach was used to estimate productivity losses. During the study period, deaths related to ambient PM2.5 resulted in a total of 3,792,968 YPPLL, of which 2,470,632 (68%) were in males.. The total productivity losses due to deaths related to ambient PM2.5 were $5,621,702,120 for the 2001-2016 period. The productivity losses increased from $119,084,207 in 2001 to $491,328,522 in 2016. In the 2001 - 2016 period, ambient PM2.5 induced a significant economic burden in the form of productivity losses in Iran, which is expected to increase. Policymakers should consider these findings when formulating public health policies to reduce air pollution and its negative consequences.