Community Perception of Air Quality: An Opinion Survey in Clarkston, Washington

摘要

In a community with a population of 7,000 and located approximately 4 miles downwind from a pulp mill, a public opinion survey was taken to analyze the environmental stress of air pollution on a sample of household heads and spouses, along two principal attitudinal dimensions: awareness and concern. Of those interviewed, 91 percent perceived air pollution in the community as a malodor problem; 74 percent perceived it as a problem of visibility; and 62 percent as a problem of nose-throat irritation. A Guttman-type scale showed high concern with air pollution among 48 percent of the sample; low to moderate concern among 31 percent; and minimal concern among 21 percent. Although exposure to odorous pollutants in ambient air appeared roughly equal for all members of the sample, their concern with air pollution was found to vary directly with social status and attitude characteristics such as civic pride, desire to ameliorate the situation, length of residence in the community, and occupational prestige of the household head. (Author)