Urbanization-induced population migration has reduced ambient PM_2.5 concentrations in China.

ABSTRACT: Direct residential and transportation energy consumption (RTC) contributes significantly to ambient fine particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5) in China. During massive rural-urban migration, population and pollutant emissions from RTC have evolved in terms of magnitude and geographic distribution, which was thought to worsen PM_2.5 levels in cities but has not been quantitatively addressed. We quantify the temporal trends and spatial patterns of migration to cities and evaluate their associated pollutant emissions from RTC and subsequent health impact from 1980 to 2030. We show that, despite increased urban RTC emissions due to migration, the net effect of migration in China has been a reduction of PM_2.5 exposure, primarily because o

SUBMITTER: Shen H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5517109 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature