Inequality of Low Air Quality-Related Health Impacts among Socioeconomic Groups in the World of Work

This research aimed to assess the perceptions of air quality and health symptoms caused by low urban air quality among vulnerable socio-economic groups in the world of work in Bangkok, Thailand through a questionnaire survey of 400 workers of both formal and informal sectors in the five districts with different socio-economic characteristics and levels of air pollution. The findings showed symmetry between air quality-monitoring data and health symptoms of different socio-economic groups but asymmetry between air quality-monitoring data and people's perceptions of air quality in their areas. It also showed inequalities of low air quality-related health impacts on socio-economic groups in the world of work. People working near the streets, highways, and industrial zones tended to have more health symptoms related to low air quality, and informal sector workers faced more health risks than formal sector workers. The study appeals for effective air pollution communication to enhance the public and informal sector worker population's literacy of air pollution, the sources of air pollution and its critical health impacts, and the available and sufficient primary care organizations and community health care centers to address work-related health needs to reach the informal sector worker population.

Automated summary

This study assessed the perceptions and health symptoms of vulnerable socio-economic groups in the world of work in Bangkok, Thailand, caused by low urban air quality. The research findings revealed a correlation between air quality-monitoring data and health symptoms among different socio-economic groups, but a disparity between air quality-monitoring data and people's perceptions of air quality. Additionally, it found that workers near streets, highways, and industrial zones faced more health risks related to low air quality, and informal sector workers were more affected than formal sector workers. The study emphasizes the importance of effective air pollution communication and access to primary care organizations and community health care centers to address the health needs of the informal sector worker population.