California regulates toxic air contaminants (TACs) such as diesel PM and other air pollutants because they have the potential to pose serious human health risks such as cancer. As part of the regulatory evaluation process, CARB is required to consider the costs and risk before developing regulations. However, many of these toxic contaminants do not have cost values associated with their cancer risks. The main objectives of this research project are to define a methodology to translate cancer risk numbers to estimated cancer cases and develop a method to quantify and valuate effects associated with cancer cases from exposure to specific TACs. The research will include the review of existing methods and the development of new methods for quantifying and monetizing cancer mortality and morbidity health effects (e.g., methods based on willingness to pay and cost of illness (COI)) at different stages of life due to varying cancer onset latency periods, types and severity of illness, and outcomes. The researchers will incorporate factors such as medical and hospitalization costs, reduced quality of life and life expectance, caregiving, lost workdays, and other costs as appropriate to valuate cancer costs, including pain and suffering related to cancer health effects. This project will identify options for incorporating the results in regulatory benefits assessments. The results of this study will help CARB and others assess quantitative benefits associated with cancer risk reduction from various TAC control measures and policies.
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