Environ Health Toxicol.  2015 ;30(Suppl):s2015005. 10.5620/eht.s2015005.

Value of a statistical life estimation of carcinogenic chemicals for socioeconomic analysis in Korea

• Lee G
• Lee Y
• Lee H
• Hong J
• Yang J

• KMID: 2380072
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5620/eht.s2015005

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To protect public health from risk, the Minister of Environment in Korea legislated an act concerning the registration and evaluation of chemical substances. In this study, we estimated the value of a statistical life (VSL) of carcinogenic chemicals to evaluate the socioeconomic analysis in Korea.
METHODS
The estimation of the health benefit can be calculated through an individual's VSL and willingness to pay (WTP). To estimate the VSL and WTP, we used a contingent valuation method through a web-based survey.
RESULTS
The survey is conducted with 1434 people living in Seoul and six large cities. An analysis of the survey is essential to review the distribution of the characteristics of the target population. The statistically significant variables affecting the WTP are location, age, household income, quality of life. Through the review of data, we secured statistical validity. The WTP was estimated as 41205 Korean won (KRW)/person, and the estimated VSL appeared as 796 million KRW/person.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a case in which the amount of statistical life value is estimated in connection with domestic environmental policy, fine dust, etc. However, there are no cases of evaluation for chemical. The utilization of this result is possible for conducting other study with chemicals.

Keyword

Chemical substance; Contingent valuation method; Socioeconomic analysis; Value of a statistical life; Willingness to pay

MeSH Terms

Dust
Environmental Policy
Family Characteristics
Health Services Needs and Demand
Insurance Benefits
Korea*
Public Health
Quality of Life
Seoul
Dust