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Avoidance behavior against air pollution: evidence from online search indices for anti-PM2.5 masks and air filters in Chinese cities

Author

Listed:
  • Tong Liu

    (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Guojun He

    (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

  • Alexis Lau

    (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

This study investigates people’s behavioral responses to air pollution information in China. We find that elevated air pollution levels are positively associated with higher online searches for anti-PM2.5 masks and air filters. A 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 is associated with a 3.6–8.4% increase of mobile queries for anti-PM2.5 masks, and 1.1–4.7% for air filters. Using a regression discontinuity design, we find that a haze alert issued when PM2.5 concentration exceeds 250 µg/m3 would double online queries for anti-PM2.5 masks and air filters. Online searches are also positively correlated with online sales. One day of severe pollution would induce a cost of 0.2 million USD on online expenditure on anti-PM2.5 masks. Some suggestive evidence shows that people in richer and polluted cities tend to search more for anti-PM2.5 masks and air filters than those in poorer and cleaner cities.

Suggested Citation

  • Tong Liu & Guojun He & Alexis Lau, 2018. "Avoidance behavior against air pollution: evidence from online search indices for anti-PM2.5 masks and air filters in Chinese cities," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 20(2), pages 325-363, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envpol:v:20:y:2018:i:2:d:10.1007_s10018-017-0196-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s10018-017-0196-3
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    5. He, Xiaobo & Luo, Zijun & Zhang, Junjie, 2022. "The impact of air pollution on movie theater admissions," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    6. Yi, Fujin & Ye, Haijian & Wu, Ximing & Zhang, Y. Yvette & Jiang, Fei, 2020. "Self-aggravation effect of air pollution: Evidence from residential electricity consumption in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    7. Magali A. Delmas & Aanchal Kohli, 2020. "Can Apps Make Air Pollution Visible? Learning About Health Impacts Through Engagement with Air Quality Information," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 161(2), pages 279-302, January.
    8. Patrick Gourley, 0. "What are the Long-Term Effects of Prenatal Air Pollution Exposure? Evidence from the BHPS," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 0, pages 1-33.
    9. Ming, Yaxin & Deng, Huixin & Wu, Xiaoyue, 2022. "The negative effect of air pollution on people's pro-environmental behavior," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 72-87.
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    11. Antoci, Angelo & Borghesi, Simone & Galeotti, Marcello & Sodini, Mauro, 2021. "Living in an uncertain world: Environment substitution, local and global indeterminacy," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    12. Wojciech Nazar & Katarzyna Plata-Nazar, 2021. "Changes in Air Pollution-Related Behaviour Measured by Google Trends Search Volume Index in Response to Reported Air Quality in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-17, November.
    13. Wei Chen & Jian Chen & Guopeng Yin, 2022. "Exploring side effects of ridesharing services in urban China: role of pollution–averting behavior," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 1007-1034, December.
    14. Cheung, Chun Wai & He, Guojun & Pan, Yuhang, 2020. "Mitigating the air pollution effect? The remarkable decline in the pollution-mortality relationship in Hong Kong," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    15. Li, Chenxi & Xia, Xinyue & Lin, Yixun & Wen, Hanlin, 2024. "Polluted cognition: The effect of air pollution on online purchasing behavior," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    16. Xiuting Wang & Idrees Waris & Muhammad Yaseen Bhutto & Haowei Sun & Irfan Hameed, 2022. "Green Initiatives and Environmental Concern Foster Environmental Sustainability: A Study Based on the Use of Reusable Drink Cups," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-16, July.
    17. Guo, Feng & Lin, Zhiyuan & Lyu, Xiaoliang & Shi, Qingling, 2023. "Does air pollution influence music sentiment? Measuring music sentiment by machine learning," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Avoidance behavior; Air pollution; Haze alert; Online search; PM2.5;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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