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Details

Research article
Authors

Aunan K, Alnes LWH, Berger J, Dong Z, Ma L, Mestl HES, Vennemo H, Wang S, and Zhang W

Journal

Energy for Sustainable Development

Summary
This cost-benefit analysis determined that replacing indoor biomass stoves with cleaner burning stoves in villages of Guizhou Province, China, could potentially avoid 0.6-3.2 annual incidences of COPD per 1000 households with the economic value being greater than the intervention costs. Results suggested that policy interventions to increase access to cleaner burning stoves may provide large net benefits to rural women and their families.
Population

Adults (women ≥ 30 years)

Health Outcomes

  • Respiratory outcomes

Health Outcome List:

  • Respiratory outcomes (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD))

Environmental Agents

List of Environmental Agents:

  • Air pollutants (particulate matter (PM 2.5/fine))

Source of Environmental Agents:

  • Indoor biomass stoves

Economic Evaluation / Methods and Source

Type:

  • Cost-benefit analysis (CBA)

Cost Measures:

  • Costs for purchase, installation and maintenance of stove (including fuel costs)
  • medical treatment expenses

Potential Cost Measures:

  • Not available

Benefits Measures:

  • Treatment expenses saved
  • avoided incidence of COPD

Potential Benefits Measures:

  • Convenience benefits from improved stoves
  • avoided incidence of COPD in men and children

Location:

  • Guizhou Province, China

Models Used:

  • Not available

Models References:

  • Not available

Methods Used:

  • The authors sought to estimate the costs and benefits among women of replacing current biomass stoves in a rural area of China with second generation improved stoves. The authors — 1) developed hypothetical intervention scenarios for two groups of households (chimney households and no-chimney households); 2) estimated the indoor PM2.5 exposure pre and post-intervention; 3) calculated health benefits of COPD incidences avoided based on change of indoor concentrations of PM2.5 and lung function after replacement of biomass stoves; 4) monetized benefits based on treatment expenses saved and value of statistical life (VSL) formulas; and 5) calculated costs based on direct intervention costs (e.g., costs of installation and maintenance).

Sources Used:

  • An assessment of programs to promote improved household stoves in China (Sinton et al. 2004); National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) (2010, 2012); World Bank (2007a, 2007b)

Economic Citation / Fundings

Citation:

  • Aunan K, Alnes LWH, Berger J, Dong Z, Ma L, Mestl HES, Vennemo H, Wang S, and Zhang W. Upgrading to cleaner household stoves and reducing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among women in rural China — a cost-benefit analysis. Energy for Sustainable Development. 2013. 17; 5.
  • DOI

NIEHS Funding:

  • Not available

Other Funding: Not available