Long-term health impacts attributable to PM2.5 and ozone pollution in China's most polluted region during 2015–2020.

During the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan Period (2016–2020), China has made great efforts to control the air pollution in its most polluted regions: Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and surrounding regions (BTHS) and Fen-Wei Plain (FWP). This study assesses the PM 2.5 - and ozone-related health impacts in BTHS and FWP cities from 2015 to 2020. Results show the PM 2.5 -health impact of BTHS and FWP cities decreased by 17.14% between 2015 and 2020, the ozone-related health impact increased over 90% contemporaneously. Significant health risk improvements mainly occurred in 2017 and 2018, showing efficient air pollution prevention and control. Health impacts in BTHS cities have been higher than in FWP cities. Air pollution problem analysis shows BTHS has strictly investigated and dealt with the problems, especially in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei cities. Health benefits by achieving two concentration targets (of PM 2.5 and ozone) from 2021 to 2025 are evaluated. The achievement of aggressive and general concentration targets will help continue the decline of PM 2.5 -related health impacts and reverse the growth of ozone-related health impacts. The present study could support controlling the health risks attributable to PM 2.5 and ozone pollution in BTHS and FWP cities, especially for developing two-pollutant concentration targets and collaborative control strategy. • PM 2.5 - and O 3 -related health impacts in BTHS and FWP are assessed from 2015 to 2020. • O 3 -related health impact in BTHS and FWP increased more than 90% between 2015 and 2020. • We estimate the health benefits from achieving two concentration targets by 2025. • Air pollution problem analysis shows industrial pollution prevention is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]