Title: Public perception of air quality: the role of temporal distribution characteristics of pollution indicator levels

Authors: Xunzhou Ma; Dan Wu

Addresses: School of Economics, Southwest Minzu University, Sichuan, 610041, China ' School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hainan University, No 58, Renmin Avenue, Haikou, 570228, China; Hainan University–UC Davis Joint Research Center on Energy and Transportation, Haikou, 570228, China

Abstract: This study uniquely applies modern portfolio studies to analyse perceptions of air quality, thereby revealing how these perceptions are influenced by air pollution indicators. We found that individuals were less satisfied with local air quality when exposed to distributions with higher mean levels of air quality and were more satisfied with smaller distribution volatility. Moreover, we discovered that evaluations of air quality are influenced by the frequency of extremely polluted or pollution-free episodes rather than by current conditions. Notably, responses to air pollution indicators and recall windows did not significantly affect the respondents' judgements. Our results suggest that understanding responses to air pollution requires comprehensive analyses beyond standard distribution means. These findings have significant implications for the design of effective policies to improve life satisfaction.

Keywords: air quality perception; distribution moments; perceived mean; perceived volatility; perceived frequency of extremely high levels; perceived frequency of extremely low levels; personal-sensitive indicators; length of recall period.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2025.150818

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2025 Vol.75 No.3, pp.205 - 242

Received: 12 Oct 2024
Accepted: 26 Jun 2025
Published online: 23 Dec 2025 *

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