Parameters influencing population annoyance pertaining to air pollution. (1st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Machado, Milena; Santos, Jane Meri; Reisen, Valdério Anselmo; Pego e Silva, Antônio Fernando; Reis Junior, Neyval Costa; Bondon, Pascal; Mavroidis, Ilias; Prezotti Filho, Paulo Roberto; Frere, Severine; Lima, Ana Teresa
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 323(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01
• Subjects: Annoyance -- Survey -- Particulate matter -- Exposure-response -- Air quality; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115955
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Annoyance caused by particulate matter qualifies as a public health problem, as it can be seen as an ambient stressor causing stress, diseases and affecting the quality of life. Previous studies have shown a complex relationship between annoyance and perception of air pollution, health problems occurrences, air pollutants concentration levels and location within the urban area, which should be better investigated. The objective of this work is to identify the parameters that influences perceived annoyance caused by air pollution. Additionally, we propose the analyses of exposure-response relationship between perceived annoyance and concentration levels of particulate matter (TSP and PM10 ). Questionnaire-based surveys were conducted in sub regions around of the air quality monitoring stations in metropolitan area of Vitoria, Brazil. Logistic regression was used to identify the associations between qualitative questionnaire variables and air pollution expressed by PM concentrations. Results have shown that 90% of the population reports nuisance by air pollution and about 80% of respondents frequently perceived air pollution by dust. The determinants parameters and subjective factors related to particles annoyance perception can be used in order to predict air pollution impact on the studied region population. By exposure-response relationship when the concentration level of PM increases, the probability of being annoyed also grows. The results and the methodology discussed here can be very useful for planning purposes where the stakeholders usually do not have access to detailed information, especially for micro-management in a regional or city-planning level. Highlights: Particulate matter is an air pollutant that can cause annoyance in urban industrialized communities. Statistical models were applied to investigate the parameters influencing annoyance. A relationship between perceived annoyance and particles concentrations was estimated. These parameters are useful for micro-management in a regional or city-planning level.