Perceptions of NO2 Exposure and Health in a Cohort of Low-Income Adults in Mysore, India

Abstract

Urban air quality remains a major concern for public health officials and the general public, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where baseline exposures are high. In India, air quality awareness campaigns are major efforts of governments at every level. Yet, our understanding of relationships between ambient air pollution exposure, public perceptions of air quality, and concerns about associated health risks is incomplete. We asked 609 respondents in low-income neighborhoods in Mysore, India, about perceptions of air pollution exposures and self-efficacy, or their ability to act to reduce the health effects of air pollution in their community. Based on lung function tests, we found a 9.3% prevalence (standard error: 0.8%) of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma. An additional 21% of the population reported experiencing chronic cough, phlegm, wheezing, and difficulty walking due to shortness of breath, and 27% of the participants reported visiting a hospital or clinic in the previous 6 months due to chest pain, breathing issues or allergic reaction. On air pollution perception, we found 30% of the respondents believed air pollution in their own neighborhood was worse than pollution in nearby neighborhoods, and 80% of respondents believe air pollution levels in the city of Mysore have been detrimental to their own health. Only 1.5% of respondents prioritized minimizing disruption of their daily routine due to air pollution, and less than 1% of respondents believed they could act individually or collectively within their community to reduce the impacts of their pollution exposure. Public awareness campaigns should be combined with education on ways the public can protect themselves from the adverse impacts of pollution exposure, and should be tailored explicitly for targeting vulnerable populations such as those living in low-income neighborhoods that experience high ambient air pollution levels.