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The link between air pollution and individual happiness is widely documented. However, the role of social engagement in pollution reduction is seldom considered in the nexus. As such, using large individual-level data from the Gallup World Poll of 151 countries for 2005–2018, this study applies a pooled cross-sectional data approach (controlling for country and year fixed effects) to examine the impact of air pollution on individual happiness and the role of social engagement in shaping the pollution-happiness relationship. The key findings of this study reveal that better air quality raises personal subjective well-being, given that the coefficient of individuals' perceived air quality is positive and statistically significant. More importantly, social engagement in pollution reduction is found to play an important moderating role in shaping the pollution-happiness relationship. Moreover, using a series of robustness checks, such as applying an alternative measure of happiness, an alternative measure of air quality (objective air quality), and using an instrumental variable estimation approach, confirms the positive effect of air quality (perceived or objective) on improving individuals' happiness and the moderating role of social engagement. Furthermore, this study reveals that different demographic characteristics (i.e., age, sex, income, marital status, and urban/rural residence) respond differently to the adverse effects of air pollution and the moderating role of social engagement in pollution reduction. Thus, some policies can be revised and proposed in light of the novel findings of social engagement. In particular, the government should take an active role in combating air pollution and improving air quality by increasing financial input and strengthening environmental protection publicity. The limitations of the study and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the relationship between daily temperature and mortality in the Klang Valley, Malaysia, over the period 2006–2015. A quasi-Poisson generalized linear model combined with a distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) was used to estimate the association between the mean temperature and mortality categories (natural n=69,542, cardiovascular n= 15,581, and respiratory disease n=10,119). Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter below 10 μm (PM10) and surface ozone (O3) was adjusted as a potential confounding factor. The relative risk (RR) of natural mortality associated with extreme cold temperature (1st percentile of temperature, 25.2 °C) over lags 0–28 days was 1.26 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00, 1.60), compared with the minimum mortality temperature (28.2 °C). The relative risk associated with extremely hot temperature (99th percentile of temperature, 30.2 °C) over lags 0–3 days was 1.09 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.17). Heat effects were immediate whereas cold effects were delayed and lasted longer. People with respiratory diseases, the elderly, and women were the most vulnerable groups when it came to the effects of extremely high temperatures. Extreme temperatures did not dramatically change the temperature-mortality risk estimates made before and after adjustments for air pollutant (PM10 and O3) levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annoyance caused by air pollution is a matter of public health as it can cause stress and ill-health and affect quality of life, among other burdens. The aim of this study is to apply the multiple correspondence analyses (MCA) technique as a differential tooling to explore relationships between variables that can influence peoples' behaviour concerning annoyance caused by air pollution. Data were collected through a survey on air pollution, environmental issues and quality of life. Face-to-face survey studies were conducted in two industrialized urban areas (Vitoria in Brazil and Dunkirk in France). These two regions were chosen as their inhabitants often report feeling annoyed by air pollution, and both regions have similar industrial characteristics. The results showed a progressive correspondence between levels of annoyance and other active variables in the "air pollution" factor group: as the levels of annoyance increased, the levels of the other qualitative variables (importance of air quality, perceived exposure to industrial risk, assessment of air quality, perceived air pollution) also increased. Respondents who reported feeling annoyed by air pollution also thought that air quality was very important and were very concerned about exposure to industrial risks. Furthermore, they often assessed air quality as horrible, and they could frequently perceive air pollution by dust, odours and decreased visibility. The results also showed a statistically significant association between occurrence of allergies and high levels of annoyance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of economic capabilities to raise production in the economy enhances the industrial activities and use of transportation. These activities deteriorate the quality of the environment and raise the level of particulate matter (PM2.5). The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of economic capabilities and population agglomeration on PM2.5 emissions for the sample of 23 sub-Saharan African countries—a highly polluted region of the world. The study used panel regression from 2007 to 2015 and found that production capabilities are highly significant and directly effecting PM2.5 emissions. The Kuznets hypothesis does not hold in this region, and the concentration of population in urban areas is also significant. To avoid the problem of possible endogeneity in the empirical model and for robustness check, the study also utilized system GMM and found consistent results. The findings of the study are highly valuable to reduce PM2.5 and propose that the policymakers in Sub-Saharan African countries should opt for industrial specialization rather than economic complexity and ensure that the proper measures are taken to control PM2.5. Moreover, population concentrations should not be taken place in a few main urban cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]