Abstract
Various medium-sized cities in southern Chile are saturated by air pollution caused by woodsmoke. In this study, we developed a segmentation model to assess the public’s perceptions, understanding of health risks and emotional responses to poor air quality. To date, this is the first segmentation model dealing with public perception in cities contaminated by woodsmoke. A survey ( N = 489) was conducted in Temuco and Padre las Casas, Chile, which included questions regarding attitudes, sociodemographic factors, and health care behaviors, to obtain information for mitigation initiatives. Through a cluster analysis, three population segments were identified that related differently to environmental pollution, which were constructed based on seven psychosocial variables. Different sociodemographic profiles and self-reported behavioral patterns were found, which should guide policies aimed at improving air quality in cities contaminated by pollution from wood-burning stoves.
Highlights
One of the main environmental policy objectives in Chile, as in other Latin American countries (Catalán, Riojas, Jarillo, & Delgadillo, 2009; Cifuentes, Krupnick, O’Ryan, & Toman, 2005; Ramírez, Mura, & Franco, 2017), is the control of air pollution, in this case, in medium-sized southern cities
To understand variations in public responses to air pollution due to the use of wood stoves, the present study develops a segmentation model for air quality perceptions based on attitudinal, sociodemographic, and self-reported behavior elicited through a survey
We considered the following variables: (a) subjective evaluation of the air quality in Temuco, (b) subjective evaluation of the air quality in the neighborhood of residence, (c) subjective evaluation of the air quality in the work transit area, (d) distress caused by pollution, (e) anger caused by pollution, (f) displeasure produced by pollution, (g) perceived severity, and (h) concern regarding the health effects of air pollution
Summary
One of the main environmental policy objectives in Chile, as in other Latin American countries (Catalán, Riojas, Jarillo, & Delgadillo, 2009; Cifuentes, Krupnick, O’Ryan, & Toman, 2005; Ramírez, Mura, & Franco, 2017), is the control of air pollution, in this case, in medium-sized southern cities. Several studies in medium-sized southern Chilean cities have attempted to estimate the impact on health caused by daily exposure to poor outdoor and indoor air quality (Díaz-Robles et al, 2014; Jorquera et al, 2018; Sanhueza et al, 2009). ADPs are normative instruments that regulate and promote the collaboration of different sectors in controlling pollution through programs and incentives. The goals of these programs are aimed at (a) the improvement of the stoves and appliances that heat homes, (b) fuel improvement, (c) thermal insulation of homes, and (d) educational campaigns. ADPs in Temuco and Padre las Casas have not achieved a substantial improvement in air quality
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