Unveiling Spatial Patterns of Exposure and Risk Perception to Air Pollution: A Case Study in Chilean Patagonia

Abstract

Wood smoke pollution has emerged as a major public health issue in southern Chile. This paper endeavors to find evidence of environmental inequity by looking into the spatial associations between sociodemographic characteristics, exposures, and risk perception to air pollution. We integrate primary georeferenced survey data with estimates of excess outdoor exposure to wood smoke in Coyhaique, one of the most polluted cities in Latin America. Our findings reveal that certain social groups are disproportionately exposed to PM2.5. People of low-socioeconomic status, living in households with older adults and users of wood-burning stoves tend to spend more days per year with unhealthy air pollution levels. The results yield a modest but statistically significant relationship between PM2.5 levels and risk perception. Sociodemographic factors are also important predictors of air pollution risk perception. We discuss the implications in terms of environmental injustice patterns and public awareness campaigns.