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Perception of risk from air pollution and reported behaviors: a cross-sectional survey study in four cities

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  • Christian Oltra
  • Roser Sala

Abstract

We investigate how public perceptions of air pollution, risk beliefs and self-reported actions to limit personal exposure to ambient air pollution vary across cities. Our analysis also examines the extent to which a number of individual-level variables are associated to self-protective and information-seeking actions due to bad air quality. Data was collected through a questionnaire survey in four cities with a total sample of 1202 inhabitants. We found a moderate variation in the subjective evaluation of local air pollution between cities, as well as in the levels of annoyance and distress due to air pollution. There was relatively little variation in perceived severity, worry and self-reported actions. No variation was found for self-reported attention to air quality levels and controllability beliefs regarding the risks from air pollution. Preliminary modeling of four self-reported actions suggests that self-reported attention to air quality levels and worry are important predictors of self-protective and information seeking behavior. We conclude that both personal and contextual factors have to be taken into account in order to understand public reactions to outdoor urban air pollution. We discuss the implications in terms of risk and health communication.

Suggested Citation

  • Christian Oltra & Roser Sala, 2018. "Perception of risk from air pollution and reported behaviors: a cross-sectional survey study in four cities," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(7), pages 869-884, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jriskr:v:21:y:2018:i:7:p:869-884
    DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2016.1264446
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    Cited by:

    1. Sonja Grossberndt & Philipp Schneider & Hai-Ying Liu & Mirjam F. Fredriksen & Nuria Castell & Panagiota Syropoulou & Alena Bartoňová, 2020. "Public Perception of Urban Air Quality Using Volunteered Geographic Information Services," Urban Planning, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(4), pages 45-58.
    2. Liliana Cori & Gabriele Donzelli & Francesca Gorini & Fabrizio Bianchi & Olivia Curzio, 2020. "Risk Perception of Air Pollution: A Systematic Review Focused on Particulate Matter Exposure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-27, September.
    3. Nuno Canha & Ana Rita Justino & Carla A. Gamelas & Susana Marta Almeida, 2022. "Citizens’ Perception on Air Quality in Portugal—How Concern Motivates Awareness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-17, October.
    4. Sang, Peijun & Wang, Liangliang & Cao, Jiguo, 2019. "Weighted empirical likelihood inference for dynamical correlations," Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 194-206.
    5. Chia-Lee Yang & Chi-Yo Huang & Yi-Hao Hsiao, 2021. "Using Social Media Mining and PLS-SEM to Examine the Causal Relationship between Public Environmental Concerns and Adaptation Strategies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-23, May.
    6. Wu, Junfeng & Liu, Baohua & Chang, Samuel & Chan, Kam C., 2022. "Effects of air pollution on accounting conservatism," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    7. Dalia M. Muñoz-Pizza & Mariana Villada-Canela & M. A. Reyna & José Luis Texcalac-Sangrador & Jesús Serrano-Lomelin & Álvaro Osornio-Vargas, 2020. "Assessing the Influence of Socioeconomic Status and Air Pollution Levels on the Public Perception of Local Air Quality in a Mexico-US Border City," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-22, June.
    8. Nguyen, Thanh Cong & Le, Hoa Thu & Nguyen, Hang Dieu & Le, Thanh Ha & Nguyen, Hong Quang, 2021. "Estimating economic benefits associated with air quality improvements in Hanoi City: An application of a choice experiment," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 420-433.
    9. Juwon Chung & Seung-Nam Kim & Hyungkyoo Kim, 2019. "The Impact of PM 10 Levels on Pedestrian Volume: Findings from Streets in Seoul, South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-23, December.
    10. Maximilian Ueberham & Uwe Schlink & Martin Dijst & Ulrike Weiland, 2019. "Cyclists’ Multiple Environmental Urban Exposures—Comparing Subjective and Objective Measurements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-12, March.

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