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Public perception and responses to environmental pollution and health risks: evaluation and implication from a national survey in China

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Listed:
  • Yi Chen
  • Zhao Zhang
  • Peijun Shi
  • Xiao Song
  • Pin Wang
  • Xing Wei
  • Fulu Tao

Abstract

Concerns have been raised among policy-makers, researchers and Chinese citizens regarding the widespread environmental degradation that has occurred in China in recent decades. Years of environmental education and media coverage on pollution harm and health risks have not only provided information about pollution to the public, but have also strengthened people’s concerns. However, an ‘intense focus’ on pollution is far from sufficient; at present, it is necessary to assess to what extent the public can identify specific environmental conditions and whether they are ready to cope with potential health risks from pollution. Through face-to-face surveys on trains and at railway stations nationwide, we investigated public experiences of environmental pollution accidents, perceptions of local environmental risks (focused on air and water quality) and responses to local environmental conditions. By comparing public perceptions with official environmental monitoring data-sets, we concluded that the accuracy of perceptions related to four environmental factors ranged from 40 to 60% at the individual scale. Furthermore, the accuracies increased approximately 2–10% at the county scale and 10–30% at the city scale, highlighting the possible benefits of collective intelligence in helping the public to identify existing environment conditions more accurately. Additionally, despite great concerns about pollution and health, public attitudes toward coping with the dangers of pollution and health risks were found to be indifferent. Our study revealed factors at the individual, social and governmental levels that led to low levels of perception accuracy and response scores. Thereout, we stressed potential pathways to improve the accuracy of public perception and the positivity of responses. The survey results indicate that there is a long way to go before the public is well prepared to cope with the risks of pollution; as a consequence, it is necessary to improve both personal environmental awareness as well as governmental, social and commercial responses to pollution events.

Suggested Citation

  • Yi Chen & Zhao Zhang & Peijun Shi & Xiao Song & Pin Wang & Xing Wei & Fulu Tao, 2017. "Public perception and responses to environmental pollution and health risks: evaluation and implication from a national survey in China," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(3), pages 347-365, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:jriskr:v:20:y:2017:i:3:p:347-365
    DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2015.1057199
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Chengzhi Yi & Jiajun Han & Cuihong Long, 2023. "Does Internet Use Increase Public Perception of Environmental Pollution?—Evidence from China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 166(3), pages 665-685, April.
    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. Yongbao Zhang & Jianwu Chen & Xingfei Wei & Xiang Wu, 2022. "Development and Validation of the Haze Risk Perception Scale and Influencing Factor Scale—A Study Based on College Students in Beijing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-21, April.
    4. Mikyong Shin & Angela K. Werner & Heather Strosnider & Lisa B. Hines & Lina Balluz & Fuyuen Y. Yip, 2019. "Public Perceptions of Environmental Public Health Risks in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-13, March.
    5. Veronika Vaseková, 2022. "How do people in China perceive water? From health threat perception to environmental policy change," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 12(3), pages 627-645, September.

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