The Impact of Air Pollution (PM2.5) in Subnational Australian Life Expectancy

Pattheera (Paire) Somboonsin, Australian National University
Vladimir Canudas-Romo, Australian National University

Australia is renowned for having some of the cleanest air globally, yet air pollution remains a persistent issue that significantly impacts life expectancy. This study aims to understand the primary causes of annual increases in ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) in Australia and measure the number of life-years lost (LYL) due to PM2.5, considering geographical and demographic differences from 1990 to 2020. The findings indicate that dust storms and bushfires were the main sources of PM2.5. South Australia and the Northern Territory consistently exceeded both the national limit and the WHO guideline for PM2.5 concentrations. Although there was no clear time trend in the impact of PM2.5 on life expectancy, South Australia and Northern Territory exhibited higher LYL compared to other regions, with a significant gender gap, as males had higher LYL than females in all regions. Australian Capital Territory showed the lowest LYL due to PM2.5 in years without major pollution events. LYL varied significantly between Greater Cities and Rest of State, with rural regions in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania having higher LYL. These results highlight the need for targeted interventions to address air pollution and its health impacts across different regions and demographics in Australia.

Keywords: Population, Environment, and Climate Change, Gender Dynamics, Mortality and Longevity, Remote sensing

See paper.