Abstract

Valuing Health Effects of Air Pollution: Contingent Valuation Survey Results from Kerala

P. K. Baby
Sree Narayana Guru Institute of Science and Technology

The Icfai University Journal of Environmental Economics, Vol. VII, No. 1, pp. 7-16, February 2009

Abstract:
Countries in the world are experiencing damages in human health due to rapid increase in particulate matter, a common pollutant in urban environment. In this paper, Willingness To Pay (WTP) estimates for avoiding the damages from selected illness associated with levels of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) is obtained, using data from a study in the state of Kerala, in India in 2000-2001. A Contingent Valuation (CV) survey is used to estimate the values of health effects due to air pollution. The CV survey measures welfare loss by asking direct questions to households regarding their WTP to avoid illness. The survey results showed a positive relation between mean WTP and level of SPM. The survey responses showed that the WTP values increase with income, levels of SPM and visits to the doctor.

Accepted Paper Series

Date posted: February 02, 2009 ; Last revised: February 07, 2009

Suggested Citation

Baby, P. K. , Valuing Health Effects of Air Pollution: Contingent Valuation Survey Results from Kerala (February 1, 2009). The Icfai University Journal of Environmental Economics, Vol. VII, No. 1, pp. 7-16, February 2009. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1336366

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Contact Information

P. K. Baby (Contact Author)

Sree Narayana Guru Institute of Science and Technology ( email )

Ernakulam
Kerala
India