This report assesses the evidence that exists for the ways in which local air quality could influence local economic growth through health and workforce issues, quality-of-life issues, or air-quality regulations and business operations. It then extrapolates some of the existing results to the Pittsburgh region.
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Research Questions
- What evidence exists for the ways in which local air quality could influence local economic growth through health and workforce issues, quality-of-life issues, or air-quality regulations and business operations?
- How might those effects be relevant to the Pittsburgh region?
The Pittsburgh region has seen improvements in its air quality during the past several decades. However, it remains out of compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, notably for ozone and particulate matter. This report asks what evidence exists for the ways in which local air quality could influence local economic growth through health and workforce issues, quality-of-life issues, or air-quality regulations and business operations and how those effects might be relevant to the Pittsburgh region. It assesses the evidence for each effect based on a review of the existing literature then extrapolates some of the existing results to the Pittsburgh region.
The authors find that meeting the NAAQS for ozone and particulate matter would be associated with improved health outcomes valued at approximately $128 million and $488 million, respectively. Although regulated industries do face costs associated with improving air quality, meeting the NAAQS can make it easier for businesses in regulated industries to locate and operate in the Pittsburgh region in the long run. By extrapolating estimates from national studies to the Pittsburgh region, the authors estimate that being in attainment with the NAAQS for ozone would be associated with approximately eight more establishments in regulated industries in the Pittsburgh region. Meanwhile, being in attainment with the NAAQS for ozone and particulate matter would be associated with approximately 1,900 and 400 more jobs and with $229 million and $57 million more output, respectively, from regulated industries in the Pittsburgh region.
Key Findings
Meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone and Particulate Matter Would Be Associated with Improved Health Outcomes in the Pittsburgh Region
- Meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and particulate matter would be associated with improved health outcomes valued at approximately $128 million and $488 million, respectively, in the Pittsburgh region.
Although Regulated Industries Do Face Costs Associated with Improving Air Quality, Meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standards Can Make It Easier for Businesses in Regulated Industries to Locate and Operate in the Pittsburgh Region in the Long Run
- Being in attainment with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone would be associated with approximately eight more establishments in regulated industries in the Pittsburgh region.
- Being in attainment with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and particulate matter would be associated with approximately 1,900 and 400 more jobs and with $229 million and $57 million more output, respectively, from regulated industries in the Pittsburgh region.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Introduction
Chapter Two
Methodology
Chapter Three
Existing Evidence for Links Between Local Air Quality and Economic Growth
Chapter Four
Extrapolating Existing Evidence to Pittsburgh
Chapter Five
Conclusions
Appendix A
Summary of Included Literature
Appendix B
Interview Protocol
Appendix C
Site Selection Process
Appendix D
Detailed Health Benefit Estimates
Appendix E
Industry Codes
The research described in this report was sponsored by the Heinz Endowments and conducted in the Environment, Energy, and Economic Development Program within RAND Justice, Infrastructure, and Environment.
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