Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
VII. International Agricultural, Biological & Life Science Conference, İstanbul, Türkiye, 7 - 10 Eylül 2025, ss.644-656, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
Air pollution has long been a significant factor affecting both human and environmental health. With increasing human population and industrialization, various pollutants have been released into the atmosphere. Among these, particulate matter is one of the most critical pollutants and poses a serious threat to living organisms. In particular, it contributes to various health problems, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Long-term exposure can lead to workforce loss and, in severe cases, even death. Each year, deaths related to air pollution also have a negative impact on national economies. To address these challenges and minimize potential harm, researchers have developed various approaches and models. One such tool is the Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program – Community Edition (BenMAP-CE), developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). BenMAP-CE enables health and economic risk assessments based on regional data. It utilizes air quality data, along with mortality, hospital admission, and economic metrics, to estimate improvements in quality of life and potential economic benefits resulting from better air quality. In this study, air quality monitoring data and WRF-Chem model simulations of particulate matter concentrations were used for the Kocaeli region. While the Kocaeli region is one of Türkiye’s most industrialized and densely populated areas, it is also exposed to severe air pollution. Therefore, poor air quality can lead to serious health problems and even death. Cause-specific mortality data related to cardiovascular, respiratory, and other diseases were incorporated, and the BenMAP-CE model was applied to assess potential improvements in quality of life and associated economic gains under a scenario of a 50% reduction in particulate matter concentrations. The results estimate that more than one hundred deaths from cardiovascular and respiratory causes could be prevented, and the economic benefits could exceed one billion dollars. As a result of the Kocaeli districts, Izmit, Gebze and Darica within the Kocaeli province demonstrated the highest potential for benefit, whereas Dilovasi yielded relatively lower benefit, a more limited impact compared to the other districts.