Perceived Air Pollution Research Articles

The critical need for child and youth perceptions of active living in India: capturing context complexity in rural and urban regions.

The physical inactivity pandemic not only has a negative impact on the physical and mental health of children and youth, but it is also a key contributor to the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden, particularly among low- and middle-income countries. The widespread effects of climate change, ranging from extreme weather events to worsening air quality, are exacerbating the physical inactivity pandemic, highlighting the need to undertake holistic interventions to address environmental barriers while promoting physical activity. Despite the potential benefits of active school transportation (AST) on physical activity and the environment, no study has examined the intersection between perceptions of AST, environmental perceptions, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among children and youth in India from a child and youth perspective. As a part of this cross-sectional, observational study, digital survey links were administered to 1,042 children and youth aged 5 to 17 (50.3% boys; 49.7% girls). Participants were recruited from 41 schools across 28 rural and urban regions in India. Children and youth provided information on various sociodemographic factors, perceptions of crime and air pollution, and peer support factors. MVPA data were collected using an adapted version of the IPAQ short-form questionnaire. The overall sample was stratified by age, gender, and location, resulting in a total of seven multiple linear regression models to assess the association between AST and MVPA. Children and youth who engaged in AST were associated with higher MVPA than those who did not engage in AST (β=18.020, 95% CI [5.890 to 30.149], p=0.004), after adjusting for age, gender, and location. In contrast, perceptions of high crime in the neighbourhood (β=-21.921, CI [-36.195 to -7.647], p=0.003) and perceptions of air pollution (β=-12.472, CI [-23.797 to -1.147], p=0.031) were associated with lower MVPA. Moreover, having active friends was associated with higher MVPA (β=32.391, CI [9.264 to 55.518], p=0.006) than not having active friends. AST was significantly associated with higher MVPA in the boys, rural, and aged 13 to 17 models; however, this association was not statistically significant in the girls, urban, and aged 5 to 12 models. These findings highlight that promoting AST can potentially promote MVPA and contribute to mitigating the NCD burden among children and youth in India. Future policies and interventions should prioritize initiatives that promote AST, considering diverse sociodemographic factors, and addressing environmental challenges such as perceptions of crime and air pollution.

Is ignorance bliss? Evaluating information awareness and life satisfaction through the lens of perceived air pollution: The case of Beijing, China

Our study presents fresh insight into the impacts of air-related information accessibility and policy awareness on citizen's life satisfaction, through the lens of perceived air pollution sources. It is widely accepted that disclosing information about air pollution adversely affects an individual's life satisfaction. However, the impact of information accessibility and public policy awareness on life satisfaction remains poorly understood in real-life contexts and their interrelationship warrants exploration. Earlier studies suggested that public scrutiny via information disclosure is a means to lower air pollution levels, potentially enhancing life satisfaction through improved air quality perception and reduced health risks. However, much of that research was based on the flawed presumption that all individuals can access and understand this officially disclosed information. They overlooked the actual availability of information and public reflections on relevant policies that were influenced by their perception of air pollution. This research gap highlights the need for in-depth evidence of the impacts of information accessibility and policy awareness on life satisfaction. Employing a covariance-based Structural Equation Modelling, our study analyses the views of 1867 Beijing residents in 2022. We assessed information accessibility, policy awareness, perceived air pollution sources, life satisfaction, and socio-demographic characteristics covering two time periods: a) before the COVID-19 pandemic and b) during its normalisation phase. Our findings reveal that both information accessibility and policy awareness significantly and positively affect life satisfaction in both periods. Moreover, the indirect parameter analysis underscores the presence of significant heterogeneity when considering the mediating role of impacts of perceived air pollutants. The results of this study offer a novel contribution regarding the relationship between air pollution information accessibility, policy awareness, and life satisfaction.

Attitudes towards air quality during outdoor exercise amongst habitual exercisers.

The effects of air pollution on health outcomes are well-established. However, little is known about perceptions of air pollution and how it may influence exercise behaviours. The aim of this study was to understand the perceived importance of air pollution during planned exercise, and where relevant, explore how those perceptions may differ between those living in different locations. A questionnaire was disseminated to several running and cycling clubs in the United Kingdom, covering population characteristics to determine urban, rural or coastal residents and exercisers, self-reported asthma, perceptions of air quality during active travel, planned exercise and attitudes towards learning more about the topic. Anonymised responses were gained from 381 adult participants (≥18years and 60% female), 119 of whom answered questions related to active travel. More than half (54%) of all respondents think about the air quality they are exposed to during exercise and how it may affect their health. More urban than rural respondents (59% vs. 47% and p=0.03) think about air quality and the impact it may have on their health when exercising. There were insufficient coastal respondents for direct comparison. Most survey respondents (57%) state that they would take the most severe course of action regarding exercise behaviour by avoiding it altogether during periods ofheavy road traffic. Individuals with self-reported asthma (n=60), irrespective of place of residence, are the most likely to be conscious of the potential effects of air pollution on their health and exercise performance compared to counterparts without self-reported asthma.

Internet usage, environmental knowledge, and the surge of air pollution concern in China

ABSTRACT Environmental pollution has become a serious public concern in China. What impact does the Internet have on people’s perception of pollution? This study evaluates the causal effect of the Internet usage on the perception of air pollution by scrutinizing data from the China General Social Survey 2013. The results indicate that people who rely more heavily on the Internet for information perceive more severe pollution. This amplification effect cannot be attributed to the contextual factors including economic development or pollution severity through increasing the usage of the Internet. This study concludes with an exploratory mechanism analysis which demonstrates that people acquire greater environmental knowledge by using the Internet which serves to raise the awareness and amplify the perceived seriousness of air pollution.

Do attitudes toward air pollution influence climate change perception? Evidence from online customers in China

Abstract The perception of climate change as an abstract and distant concept hinders climate action. Previous studies suggest that individuals may conflate climate change and local air pollution due to misconceptions, as these environmental issues share similar emission sources and mitigation strategies. However, it remains uncertain whether leveraging the public's high perception of air pollution can lead to increased climate change awareness and supportive behaviors. In this study, we surveyed 1,236 Chinese online customers to explore the influence of air pollution perception on climate change perception and willingness to pay (WTP) for supporting climate actions. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) results revealed that higher air pollution perception, which is connected to an individual's living environment and health status, is significantly associated with higher climate change perception. Despite this link, higher climate change perception does not necessarily translate to higher WTP for climate actions. However, air pollution perception can indirectly increase WTP for climate actions by fostering avoidance behavior intentions. For practical implications, our findings suggest that an emphasis on the co-benefits of climate change mitigation efforts for improving air quality may help lead to greater policy support and understanding. Additionally, promoting individual behavioral changes requires connecting these issues to personal experiences and highlighting tangible benefits such as improved health and well-being.

A Cross-Regional Study on the Public's Channel Preferences for Accessing Information

In this study, an online questionnaire was administered simultaneously in Beijing and Seoul to investigate the public's channel preferences for air quality index (AQI) information and risk perception of air pollution in order to comparatively analyze the public's information acquisition behaviors in different media environments. As people become more aware of the health risks of air pollution, the AQI has become routine information released when there is a need to warn of health hazards, and many countries are releasing it to the public through a variety of information channels to ensure that the public can perceive the risks and take appropriate measures in a timely manner. This study, through a comparative cross-regional analysis, found that public preferences for accessing AQI information varied across regions with differing media environments. In addition, the correlation between air pollution risk perceptions and information access behaviors varied across regions.

Do Chinese Residents’ Perceptions of Air Pollution Affect Their Pro-Environmental Behaviors: The Moderating Role of Environmental Knowledge

Air pollution has become an important environmental and public health problem in China; improving air quality has become one of the most important tasks of the Chinese central government in recent years. In all aspects of environmental governance, the public’s pro-environmental behavior is crucial to comprehensively improve air quality. This study used data provided by the 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS) to explore the relationship between air pollution perception, environmental knowledge, and pro-environmental behavior. The results of the study indicated that: (1) Residents’ subjective perception of air pollution has a significant positive impact on residents’ pro-environmental behaviors. The more serious the air pollution in the surrounding area is, the more likely residents are to adopt more pro-environmental behaviors; (2) Environmental knowledge also has a positive impact on residents’ pro-environmental behaviors and individuals with higher environmental knowledge are more likely to adopt more pro-environment behaviors; and (3) Environmental knowledge plays a positive regulating role in the relationship between air pollution perception and pro-environmental behavior. Individuals with higher environmental knowledge are more willing to engage in more pro-environmental behaviors when they perceive air pollution. To promote the residents’ pro-environmental behaviors, we should further strengthen the education of environmental knowledge and strengthen the disclosure of environmental information. This study provides valuable insights for China to formulate environmental governance policies, enrich the research on pro-environmental behavior to a certain extent, and provide lessons for other developing countries and high-polluting countries to find environmental governance methods.

Air Quality Awareness—Empirical Evidence from a Comparative Perspective between Two European Cities

This research, conducted as part of the European project PA-MAP (Participatory Approach to Monitoring Air Quality in Urban Environments), investigates citizens’ perceptions of air pollution in two European cities: Turin (Italy) and Dublin (Ireland). We systematically collected social data through semi-structured surveys distributed via online platforms. Our aim was to gather comprehensive information on the perception of pollution sources and the effectiveness of control systems. We examined citizens’ habits and their suggestions to improve air quality. The results revealed the following: (1) In Turin, the perception of air pollution significantly influences individuals’ self-assessments of health. Consequently, increased vigilance is required to mitigate environmental health risks and to disseminate information on air quality and effective practices for reducing air pollution. (2) The use of sustainable transportation in Turin is hindered due to the inadequate maintenance of cycling infrastructure. Citizens prefer to use cars or trains, which facilitate rapid travel. (3) In Dublin, greater sensitivity to the problem of air pollution has emerged, and the use of sustainable means of transport is facilitated via ad hoc infrastructure. These results provide empirical evidence to policymakers to support the promotion of concrete local actions through which to improve air quality.

Impact of air pollution perception on environmental governance satisfaction

This study critically examines the factors influencing satisfaction with environmental governance in China, focusing on air pollution perception, environmental tax, and government trust within the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework. Utilizing data from Chinese societal surveys, the research investigates the impact of air pollution perception on environmental governance satisfaction, as well as how this relationship is mediated by environmental tax and moderated by government trust. The findings reveal a strong inverse correlation between air pollution perception and satisfaction with environmental governance, highlighting the direct impact of environmental challenges on ESG outcomes. The relationship is nuanced by regional and demographic variations, highlighting the diverse impact of air pollution perception across different segments of society. The study also reveals the pivotal role of environmental tax in mediating this relationship, suggesting that tax policies can effectively enhance ESG strategies. Additionally, government trust is identified as a key moderating factor, underscoring the importance of trust in governance for the effectiveness of ESG practices. This research contributes to the broader field of air pollution perception and environmental governance, providing valuable insights into the complex interplay between public perception, tax policy, and trust in government. It offers practical implications for policymakers seeking to use taxation and trust-building measures to mitigate pollution and improve public satisfaction with environmental governance within the ESG ambit.

Exploring impacts of perceived and actual air pollution on commuters’ mode choice

Since people’s decisions are usually based on their perception, Air Pollution Perception (APP) can affect travel mode changes. This research examines the effects of APP and actual air pollution on commuters’ mode choice by developing a hybrid choice model. During a cross-sectional survey in Karaj, the fourth most populous city in Iran, 768 valid questionnaires were gathered including 2795 trips. The results show that APP had a negative effect on choosing public transit. Moreover, the findings indicate that commuters are more likely to use their cars when they feel less in control over air pollution. The findings may be useful in planning policies to manage people’s perception of air pollution in order to make public transit more desirable for car commuters, especially in polluted urban areas.

Respiratory conditions and health symptoms associated with air pollution amongst children aged six years and below in Melusi Informal Settlement, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundRespiratory conditions and health symptoms associated with air pollution in children are a major public health concern, as their immune systems and lungs are not yet fully developed. This study aimed to assess self-reported respiratory conditions and health symptoms associated with air pollution sources amongst children aged six years and below in Melusi informal settlement, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa.MethodsWith a quantitative cross-sectional study design, parents/caregivers of children aged six years and below (n = 300) from eight Early Childhood Development Centres were invited to participate in the study. This study employed complete sampling, and data was collected using the modified International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children. The chi-square and multiple logistic regression models were used to analyze data, with p < 0.05 in the adjusted odds ratios considered as being statistically significant.ResultsThree models were run to examine the predictors of wheezing in the past 12 months, dry cough, and itchy-watery eyes. The model for asthma was excluded, as only seven participants reported having asthma. Wheeze in the past 12 months was associated with participants living in the area for more than three years (OR 2.96 95%CI: 1.011–8.674). Furthermore, having a dog in the house in the past 12 months was associated with wheeze in the past 12 months (OR 5.98 95%CI: 2.107–16.967). There was an association between duration of stay in a residence and dry cough prevalence (OR 5.63 95%CI: 2.175–14.584). Trucks always or frequently passing near homes was associated with itchy-watery eyes (OR 3.27 95%CI: 1.358–7.889). 59% (59%) of participants perceived the indoor air quality in their homes to be good, while 6% perceived it as poor. In contrast, 36% of participants perceived the outdoor air quality to be good, and 19.7% perceived it as poor.ConclusionThe association between perceived air pollution exposure, self-reported respiratory conditions, and health symptoms amongst children is complex. Further research is required to better understand the multifaceted nature of air pollution and its impact on the health of children.

Social Perceptions of Air Pollution by Motorbike Taxi Drivers in Cotonou

Social Perceptions of Air Pollution by Motorbike Taxi Drivers in Cotonou

Happiness in urban environments: what we know and don’t know yet

There is no consensus on what makes for a livable urban environment. This requires empirical assessment of the relationship between urban characteristics and the happiness of residents. We took stock of the available research findings, using the World Database of Happiness; 445 findings are considered, from 20 nations over the years 1975–2022. We considered 3 aspects of the urban environment, 1) objectively assessed characteristics, 2) subjective perception of urban characteristics and 3) satisfaction with urban characteristics. Urbanites tend to be happier in places characterized by the following objectively assessed features: a) access to local green/nature, b) access to cultural facilities and leisure amenities, c) access to healthcare, d) access to public goods such as access to sewage and water supply and e) access to public spaces. On the other hand, residents tend to be less happy the closer they live to f) shops, g) public transportation hubs and h) the city center. Subjectively perceived environmental characteristics that go with greater happiness are: i) amenities, j) public goods in vicinity k) playground and sport facilities, while l) perceived air pollution is negatively linked to happiness. Residents were found to be happier the more satisfied they are with m) connectivity and local transport, n) local recreation o) water quality and the, p) environment as-a-whole. Correlations with objectively assessed characteristics. with the urban environment are smaller than with subjective perceptions of the same and differ in direction for living close to q) shops and r) public transportation hubs. While objective closeness to these amenities relates negatively to happiness, subjectively perceived availability and satisfaction with these amenities relates positively to happiness. Most of the available findings are of a cross-sectional nature and do not inform us about cause and effect. This strand of research is still in its infancy. By lack of a sound evidence base, claims about livability of urban settings will remain a matter of subjective hunches and sales-talk.

When you breathe, your heart breaks: air pollution, environmental awareness, and political trust in China

ABSTRACT This paper examines the joint effect of air pollution and environmental awareness on Chinese people’s political trust. We argue that severe air pollution conveys new information to the Chinese people, enhancing their understanding of the deficiencies in authoritarian governance and reducing the support of environmentally-aware individuals for the government. In other words, the impact of environmental awareness on political trust depends on the gravity of air pollution. When people perceive air pollution as severe, it can directly cause those who are environmentally conscious to reduce their trust in the government. On the other hand, the impact of new information regarding severe air pollution on political trust also relies on the level of individuals’ environmental awareness. When environmental awareness is low, individuals may prioritize economic growth. However, when environmental awareness is high, an increase in air pollution will elicit negative sentiments towards the government.

Perception matters: How air pollution influences life satisfaction in China

Academic studies on environmental pollution have convincingly acknowledged the salient relevance of ambient pollutant emissions on individual life satisfaction. However, an understanding of how the different dimensions of air pollution influence public self-assessment of their living condition is required. This research investigates whether objective pollutant emissions and subjective evaluation influence individual life satisfaction. The findings were based on data from the China Environment Yearbook and China Social Survey in 2019. The multi-level linear regression model found that air pollutants emissions, including particulate matter (PM) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), failed to explain the variations in public life satisfaction because of the lag effect of public perception. A significant nexus between perceived air pollution and public life satisfaction was observed at a significance level of 0.01. Specially, as the perceived air pollution by the public increased by one-point, life satisfaction decreased by 0.22 on a scale of 1–10, on average. Heterogeneous analysis based on income further suggested the salient negative effect of PM emissions on life satisfaction only occurred in the high-income group. The findings were robust after various methodological analyses. This study has theoretical implications for understanding the effects of air pollution on public subjective perception and provides guidance for how the government can manage the relationship between environmental governance and life satisfaction.

A serious game for raising air pollution perception in children

AbstractConcerns about air pollution have increased recently. Currently, 94% of the world population face air pollution levels considered unsafe by the World Health Organization, which tells us that efforts are needed to raise people’s awareness about air pollution. The use of serious games and gamification of interactive applications have raised people’s perception. This work presents Problems in the Air, a game developed in Unity about air pollution, in which the player’s goal is to control a character that inhabits an imaginary city tasked to monitor indoor and outdoor air pollution with sensors deployed across several city zones. While playing, children are expected to learn the possible causes of pollution in each zone and, this way, the game attempts to promote pro-environmental behaviors. This game allows educators to configure the problems that the player has to solve. Customisation is a desired feature in existing serious games as teachers often need to tailor this type of tools to their students. Pre- and post-surveys about air pollution were elaborated to evaluate air pollution perception of twenty students of an elementary school before and after playing the game, with results showing some significant positive effects. A System Usability Scale questionnaire was also performed and we obtained an acceptable mean value of 75, out of 100.

Sustainable Farming: Insights from Data Clustering

This study delves into the perceptions and practices of the agricultural community regarding eco-friendly technologies and air pollution through a detailed clustering analysis of survey data. The primary objective is to identify distinct groups within the agricultural sector based on their responses to various factors, including demographic information, types of crops grown, perceptions of air pollution, and attitudes toward sustainable practices. The analysis employs K-Means clustering to categorize respondents into three distinct clusters, each representing a unique combination of views and practices. The findings are visualized using scatter plots and box plots, offering a clear depiction of the variations and commonalities within each cluster. The study reveals significant diversity in the adoption and perception of eco-friendly practices in agriculture. Some groups demonstrate high satisfaction and effectiveness, indicating successful integration of sustainable methods, while others show skepticism and challenges, possibly due to economic constraints or lack of access to resources and knowledge. The economic interpretation of these clusters suggests that varying levels of resource availability, technological access, and knowledge dissemination influence differences in the adoption of sustainable practices. The study concludes with recommendations for targeted policy-making, educational initiatives, and resource allocation to support and enhance the adoption of eco-friendly practices across different segments of the agricultural community. This tailored approach can significantly contribute to the broader objective of promoting sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship.

Understanding Public Perception of Air Quality in the Urban Environment of Central Asia: An Empirical Assessment Using Structural Equation Modelling

Public awareness and understanding of air quality in Central Asia remain considerably low. The present study assesses the perception, attitude and environmental knowledge of local air quality among adult urban residents ( n = 870) in a city with high air pollution among cities of Central Asia: Astana, Kazakhstan. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to investigate the causal relationship between perceived air quality, environmental literacy and willingness to pay for environmental protection. Over half of the Kazakhstani population has higher education, yet environmental literacy remains low compared to countries with fewer university graduates. Participants’ age, education and health status significantly affected ( p &lt; .001) their environmental knowledge and awareness. The SEM indicates knowledge as a major determinant in improving public awareness and perception of air pollution. The present study provides valuable insights for researchers and governmental institutions to promote a better understanding of air quality within a rapidly growing urban environment.

Assessment of air pollution and air quality perception mismatch using mobility-based real-time exposure.

Air pollution poses a threat to human health. Public perceptions of air pollution are important for individual self-protection and policy-making. Given the uncertainty faced by residence-based exposure (RB) measurements, this study measures individuals' real-time mobility-based (MB) exposures and perceptions of air pollution by considering people's daily movement. It explores how contextual uncertainties may influence the disparities in perceived air quality by taking into account RB and MB environmental factors. In addition, we explore factors that are related to the mismatch between people's perceived air quality and actual air pollution exposure. Using K-means clustering to divide the PM2.5 values into two groups, a mismatch happens when the perceived air quality is poor but the air pollution level is lower than 15.536μg/m3 and when the perceived air quality is good but the air pollution level is higher than 15.608μg/m3. The results show that there is a mismatch between air pollution exposure and perception of air pollution. People with low income are exposed to higher air pollution. Unemployed people and people with more serious mental health symptoms (e.g., depression) have a higher chance of accurately assessing air pollution (e.g., perceiving air quality as poor when air pollution levels are high). Older people and those with a higher MB open space density tend to underestimate air pollution. Students tend to perceive air quality as good. People who are surrounded by higher MB transportation land-use density and green space density tend to perceive air quality as poor. The results can help policymakers to increase public awareness of high air pollution areas, and consider the health effects of landscapes during planning.

Risk perception of air pollution and behavioral responses: a mapping review of research studies during 2000–2021

Risk perception of air pollution and behavioral responses: a mapping review of research studies during 2000–2021