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Table 1 Characteristics of the study population (% (N)) and the hypothesis of their effects on air pollution exposure
| Male | Female | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50% (25) | 50% (25) | 100% (50) | ||
| SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC | ||||
| Age | Younger adults inhale more pollution than older people, as their activity intensity and metabolic rate is higher. And young people generally care less about self-protection. | |||
| ≤ 30 | 48% (12) | 76% (19) | 62% (31) | |
| > 30 | 52% (13) | 24% (6) | 38% (19) | |
| Education | Individuals who received a higher education have higher perceptions of air pollution and are more likely to take proper actions to limit personal exposure to ambient air pollution. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree or below | 60% (15) | 40% (10) | 50% (25) | |
| Post-graduate degree | 40% (10) | 60% (15) | 50% (25) | |
| Marital status | Single individuals tend to engage more in outdoor activities and spend more time on leisure activities than do married individuals, which put them at a higher risk of air pollution exposure. | |||
| Single | 48% (12) | 84% (21) | 66% (33) | |
| Married | 52% (13) | 16% (4) | 34% (17) | |
| Annual income, RMB | Low-income individuals are more susceptible to pollution threats because of the lack of self-protective equipment, longer-distance travel, and worse working and living environment. | |||
| Low-middle: < 150,000 | 32% (8) | 36% (9) | 34% (17) | |
| Middle-high class: > 150,000 | 68% (17) | 64% (16) | 66% (33) | |
| TRAVEL BEHAVIOR | ||||
| Commute time to work, hours | Longer duration commuters increase their exposure time to unfiltered air contaminants. | |||
| ≤ 1 | 60% (15) | 68% (17) | 64% (32) | |
| > 1 | 40% (10) | 32% (8) | 36% (18) | |
| Own vehicle, yes | 40% (10) | 20% (5) | 30% (15) | Individuals in vehicles are likely to be exposed to more pollution since a car in traffic takes in and trap pollution from the exhaust of vehicles in front of it. Pedestrians and cyclists have diluted pollutants due to better airflow. |
| LIVING CONDITION | ||||
| Days suffered from passive smoking for more than 15 mins per week | Individuals who are exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to inhale more pollutants. | |||
| 0 | 72% (18) | 56% (14) | 64% (32) | |
| > 1 | 28% (7) | 44% (11) | 36% (18) | |
| Have ventilation system at home or office | 56% (14) | 40% (10) | 48% (24) | The air cleaning effect of ventilation system will lower the concentration of indoor air pollutants. |
| HEALTH STATUS | ||||
| Body mass index, kg/m2 | Overweight or obese adults breathe more air per day than an adult with a healthy weight, which makes them more vulnerable to air contaminants. | |||
| Normal (< 25) | 68% (17) | 84% (21) | 76% (38) | |
| Overweight / Obese(≥25) | 32% (8) | 16% (4) | 24% (12) | |
| Respiratory diseases | 12% (3) | 16% (4) | 14% (7) | Patients with respiratory diseases are more likely to be cautious about bad air quality days and tend to take more protections. |
