Buildings are shrouded in haze in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo by Reuters
Economic damage from opportunity loss caused by air pollution, exceeding an average of 100µg/m³ on the Air Quality Index (AQI) in and around Bangkok over a one-month period, has been estimated at about 3 billion THB (89.4 million USD), according to an assessment by Thailand’s Kasikorn Research Centre (KRC).
As reported by the local English news service Thai PBS World, the centre said that excessive PM2.5 in the atmosphere leads to expenditure on medical treatment and preventive health care, such as facemasks and air purifiers. Although such expenditure is beneficial to businesses, it can constitute opportunity loss for consumers, because they could have used the money for other purposes.
The economic damage estimate was based on the assumption that about 2.4 million people in Bangkok are suffering from allergies and respiratory diseases, with about half of them needing to see a doctor at least once a month. This incurs medical and travel expenses, averaging 1,800-2,000 THB per head.
According to the centre, including other economic activities, such as class suspensions, impacts on tourism and working from home, the economic damage could be much higher.
