The Health and Economic Benefits of Reduced Residential Solid Fuel Burning on the South African Highveld

Emissions from residential solid fuel burning in densely populated low-income settlements is a significant source of air pollution over the South African Highveld. The area and highly industrialized, resulting high concentrations pollutants area. Although emissions industrial sources are much larger, exposure to household poses most risk human health. Interventions aimed at reducing on Highveld have potential reduce exposure, but quantifying their true impact remains challenge. We estimate health associated economic benefits regional implementation thermal insulation as intervention measure predict scale. used land use type regression model pre-intervention PM2.5 then sampled post-intervention quality data pilot offset programme relate changes avoided premature mortalities. that large-scale this could result 143 mortalities with an estimated benefit just under ZAR (2011) 341.6 million, equivalent USD 49.4 million.