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

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Abstract

Air pollution is a key threat to human and ecosystem health. Successfully addressing this problem requires among other measures the active involvement of the population, depending on adequate public awareness and knowledge. This paper reviewed studies on perceptions of outdoor air pollution and behavioral responses in order to synthesize the state-of-the art in this research field and identify key research gaps. Three bibliographic databases were queried for studies published between 2000 and 2021 using standardized search terms. Of 2,616 titles and abstracts screened, 242 articles met the inclusion criteria. Our review revealed a growing interest in this domain of study, while we found a geographical mismatch between countries with poor air quality and those having been intensively researched. Moreover, we identified a lack of qualitative and mixed methods studies. Research also needs to focus more on vulnerable populations, influential subjects and data from online platforms. Among the outcomes investigated by the reviewed studies, there was a dearth of research on perceptions of ecosystem effects of air pollution, the use of air purifiers and relocating as self-protective means and people’s willingness-to-pay for self-protective measures.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are not publicly available due to being subject to further analyses and publications but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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  1. Sarunya Sujaritpong

    Present address: Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Rd., Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhornpathom, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand

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  1. Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Rd., Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhornpathom, Nakhon Pathom, 73170, Thailand

    Marc Völker

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Marc Völker contributed to conceptualizing the review, designing the methodology, performing formal analysis, writing the original draft and editing the final document.

Sarunya Sujaritpong contributed to conceptualizing the review, designing the methodology and writing the original draft.

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Correspondence to Sarunya Sujaritpong.

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Völker, M., Sujaritpong, S. Risk perception of air pollution and behavioral responses: a mapping review of research studies during 2000–2021. Air Qual Atmos Health (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-024-01531-4

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