Analysis of the Impact of Air Pollutants, PM2.5 and O3, on Life Expectancy and Quality Adjusted Life-Expectancy in Canada

This thesis analyzes the impact of reducing anthropogenic ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), on mortality rates and incidence of chronic bronchitis (CB) and nonfatal myocardial infarction (AMI). The outcome measures are life expectancy and quality-adjusted life years. The methodologies used include: life tables, discounting, concentration-response function (CRF), quality of life scores and Monte Carlo simulation. The highest estimates of impact due to ozone and PM2.5 across eight Canadian cities are 239 deaths and 3469 life years (95%CI: 3268-3696) and 9032 deaths and 132124 life years (95%CI: 117900-154500) respectively. Impacts on CB and AMI related to elimination in PM2.5 exposure are 3235 cases and 16215 QALYs (95%CI: 12690-23310) and 5204 cases and 6279 QALYs (5436-7816) respectively. The most influential parameters in sensitivity analysis are residual life expectancy, discount rate, CRF, and incidence rates. These findings provide alternative measures to monetary valuation in the analysis of air pollution impacts used by policy makers