Discrepancy between scientific measurement and public anxiety about particulate matter concentrations

Abstract

This study presents the characteristics and relevance of air quality in the sensitive public environment by analyzing scientific observations and social data detailing the present status of particulate matter (PM) concentrations alongside the changes in the public perception. By projecting time-series data under the same conditions over long periods of time, the difference between the clarity in the information provided by the media and scientific data was quantified, and the patterns in these fields were identified. We confirmed that the PM mass loads in the atmosphere and column concentrations continue to decrease whereas the number of media articles and internet searches with related key words increased over the same period. It was observed that the number of articles in the media increased by 10.5 times over the same period in which the PM mass in the atmosphere decreased by approximately 2.5%. The correlation analysis between the scientific observation data and social data showed significant correlation for the pairs of PM₁₀ and aerosol optical thickness (AOT), meteorological visibility and relative humidity, and media publications with the number of internet portal searches. These results indicate that individual interest and anxiety about the air quality increased quantitatively as a result of these issues being mentioned in new media sources. These results demonstrate the reasons why atmospheric scientists should provide more information about current air quality to the public and exert their professionality in scientific and public discourse.

Keywords: Aerosol optical thickness; Atmospheric environment; Particulate matter; Social media; Visibility.