Estimating environmental health costs: Monetary valuation of trace pollutants

Trace pollutants are pollutants other than the classical air pollutants (PM, NOx, SO2, O-3 and volatile organic compounds), that are emitted in small quantities but some of which are highly toxic. Of particular concern are the carcinogenic metals As, Cd, Cr and Ni, and the neurotoxic metals Hg and Pb. Among organic trace pollutants the most troubling are the poly-chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and the closely related poly-chlorinated dibenzofurans and poly-chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). This paper describes a methodology for estimating their health impacts and damage costs and presents results for two case studies (waste treatment by landfill and incineration, and electricity generation from coal). The uncertainties are also discussed. The paper is largely based on research carried out within the ExternE (External Costs of Energy) project series of the European Commission, because it offers the most systematic assessment of these pollutants.