Who cares about the air? Inequalities in air pollution information acquisition
Keywords: digital
air pollution
exposure
inequality
knowledge production
digital inequality

Air pollution is a pervasive global challenge responsible for one in eight deaths according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In the United Kingdom (UK), air pollution causes the equivalent of 28,000 to 36,000 premature deaths each year. In addition, exposures occur disproportionately across the population and are influenced by numerous, often interrelated factors, including but not limited to demographics, geography, profession, income, as well as an extensive array of social and behavioral patterns. Internet-connected technologies have facilitated a deluge of digitally available information about air pollution. Despite this proliferation, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews or characterization of emerging sources of air pollution information, including the varied modes for generating and delivering said information. Furthermore, aside from small-scale studies or interventions, little is known about patterns of public engagement with air pollution information and how this can affect pollution exposures or associated health outcomes at the population level.
This thesis addresses gaps in the literature surrounding the characterization of and engagement with air pollution information by presenting a series of linked studies. The first empirical Chapter introduces the term “air quality (AQ) channels” to help define a new genre of digitally enabled, real-time air quality information. An analysis of “digital trace” data demonstrates that patterns of the diffusion of AQ channels are associated with the publication of news articles about air pollution. The subsequent Chapter employs visual and computational methods to analyze the characteristics of data and information delivered across AQ channels. Findings indicate that different AQ Channels deliver varying air pollution “readings” for the same geographic location. This suggests that two individuals standing in the same place can receive varying exposure reducing behavioral advice depending on which AQ channel they consult. The final two empirical Chapters leverage a nationally representative, cross sectional survey dataset and estimate regression models to identify sociodemographic characteristics of groups that are more likely to experience the benefits of accessing AQ channels. Individuals who have or care for others with certain health conditions demonstrated greater awareness about the health impacts of air pollution. Additionally, increased concern for long-term health, as well as “response efficacy and outcome expectancy,” or belief that one’s actions can positively affect the air they breathe, are associated with greater adoption of exposure reducing behaviors. The final Chapter found that the odds of accessing digital AQ information were greater for younger individuals (below 36), those with health conditions, and those who care for some with a health condition, as compared with their counterparts. This Chapter also demonstrated that individuals are more likely to adopt a greater number of exposure reducing behaviors if they access information on a daily basis.
The thesis concludes by discussing how qualities and patterns of use of AQ channels can perpetuate existing social and informational inequalities. The research outputs from this thesis serve as a foundation for future work on how AQ channels can be used to bring benefit to those who have been previously left out of air quality research and governance.