Objective  To quantitatively assess health economic benefit of implementing control of particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM_2.5) pollution in Jiangsu province.

  Methods  Using environmental health risk and environmental value assessment method, we assessed health benefits of air pollution control among permanent urban residents in 13 municipalities of Jiangsu province and compared the assessment results for various cities. Baseline data were those collected in 2015 and the health effects to be achieved in relation to PM_2.5 concentration in ambient air requested by national secondary standard (GB3095 – 2012) were adopted in the assessment.

  Results  The decreased number of people potentially affected by PM_2.5 pollution after implementing control measures was 1.28 millions (95 confidence interval 95% CI: 0.58 – 1.93), accounting for 2.92% (95% CI: 1.33% – 4.39%) of total urban population in the province, with the estimated corresponding total health economic benefit of 70.24 (95% CI: 23.12 – 109.35) billions yuan RMB, equivalent to 1.00% (95% CI: 0.32% – 1.20%) of gross domestic product (GDP) of Jiangsu province in 2015. The estimated health benefit varied in the southern, northern, and central region of Jiangsu province in descending order. The estimated health benefit would be much more greater if more stringent standard for ambient air quality is adopted.

  Conclusion  If more strict measures for PM_2.5 pollution control are implemented in Jiangsu province, the health status of urban residents could be improved effectively and considerable health economic benefit could be achieved.