Perceptions of problems and preferences for solutions: The case of poor air quality in central-southern Chile

Various medium-sized cities in southern Chile are saturated by air pollution caused by woodsmoke. In this study, we developed a segmentation model to assess the public’s perceptions, understanding of health risks and emotional responses to poor air quality. To date, this is the first segmentation model dealing with public perception in cities contaminated by woodsmoke. A survey ( N = 489) was conducted in Temuco and Padre las Casas, Chile, which included questions regarding attitudes, sociodemographic factors, and health care behaviors, to obtain information for mitigation initiatives. Through a cluster analysis, three population segments were identified that related differently to environmental pollution, which were constructed based on seven psychosocial variables. Different sociodemographic profiles and self-reported behavioral patterns were found, which should guide policies aimed at improving air quality in cities contaminated by pollution from wood-burning stoves.

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Air quality forecasting for winter-time PM2.5episodes occurring in multiple cities in central and southern Chile

Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres ◽

10.1002/2015jd023949 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 121 (1) ◽

pp. 558-575 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Pablo E. Saide ◽

Marcelo Mena-Carrasco ◽

Sebastian Tolvett ◽

Pablo Hernandez ◽

Gregory R. Carmichael

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Southern Chile ◽

Winter Time ◽

Air Quality Forecasting

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The Grass Is Always Greener on My Side: A Field Experiment Examining the Home Halo Effect

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12166335 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (16) ◽

pp. 6335

Author(s):

Àlex Boso ◽

Boris Álvarez ◽

Christian Oltra ◽

Jaime Garrido ◽

Carlos Muñoz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Indoor Air ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Halo Effect ◽

Southern Chile ◽

Severe Problem ◽

Awareness Campaigns ◽

Fine Particulate ◽

Indoor Spaces

Wood-burning pollution is a severe problem in southern Chile, where every winter, people are exposed to unhealthy ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations. Urban air quality is a major concern for health officials, but public awareness campaigns tend to focus on outdoor hazards. Our understanding of how residents are exposed and perceive air pollution risks in their homes remains incomplete. This study explores the ability of participants to perceive indoor air quality. We collected data on 81 households, combining perceptions of air quality with objective measurements of PM2.5. Residents’ evaluations of air quality were systematically compared to inspectors’ evaluations in order to examine the home halo effect. We found that residents tended to overestimate air quality in their homes. We discuss how our data supported the existence of a home halo effect, but also point out the possibility that individuals’ ability to perceive air quality in indoor spaces is limited by other factors.

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Application of Electron Optics to Characterization of Particulate Pollutants

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s042482010009508x ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 30 ◽

pp. 364-365

Author(s):

J. B. Moran ◽

J. L. Miller

Keyword(s):

Air Quality ◽

Quality Standards ◽

Ambient Air ◽

Hazardous Substances ◽

Fuel Additives ◽

Ambient Air Quality ◽

Air Quality Standards ◽

Emission Standards ◽

Stationary Sources ◽

Ambient Air Quality Standards

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 provide the basis for a dramatic change in Federal air quality programs. The Act establishes new standards for motor vehicles and requires EPA to establish national ambient air quality standards, standards of performance for new stationary sources of pollution, and standards for stationary sources emitting hazardous substances. Further, it establishes procedures which allow states to set emission standards for existing sources in order to achieve national ambient air quality standards. The Act also permits the Administrator of EPA to register fuels and fuel additives and to regulate the use of motor vehicle fuels or fuel additives which pose a hazard to public health or welfare.National air quality standards for particulate matter have been established. Asbestos, mercury, and beryllium have been designated as hazardous air pollutants for which Federal emission standards have been proposed.

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