Avoided mortality by particulate air pollution control measures in China

Since 2006, China has undertaken essential efforts to reverse the sharp atmospheric pollution increase, especially to reduce fine particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM_2.5). Using satellite observations, we developed a scenario-based method to quantify the PM_2.5-related excess mortality avoided through air pollution control measures in China. By lowering PM_2.5 concentrations to 2018–2019 (pre-COVID-19) levels, Chinese authorities helped prevent approximately 655,000 excess deaths per year compared to moderate mitigation and 1.28 million compared to no mitigation. Within about a decade, Chinese policies prevented the annual loss of up to 19.2 million life-years and a life expectancy reduction of 1.2 years. Our results suggest that continued reductions in PM_2.5 at this pace over the next few decades could essentially diminish the health burden of air pollution.