Estimating the Cost-of-Illness due to Air Pollution – A Case Study of Kolkata

Abstract

Mortality and morbidity loss due to air pollution are huge in Kolkata.  The use of solid fuels in industries and a steep rise in the number of vehicles are the two major causes of air pollution in Kolkata. The level of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the air in Kolkata is far above the safe limit.  The result is the incidence of airborne diseases. The present study gathers information from 312 households in Kolkata about the incidence of airborne illness. The main objective of the present study is to estimate the “cost of illness” due to air pollution in the case of Kolkata. The health cost estimation study can give an idea about the “out-of-pocket” medical treatment cost as well as the “opportunity cost of lost time” due to air pollution-related illness. The present study found a significant monetary burden due to airborne diseases in Kolkata.