Air quality and environmental protection concerns among residents in Nanchang, China

Rapid economic development in China has been accompanied by environmental pollution, most notably air pollution. A cross-sectional survey of residents was conducted at four locations in Nanchang, China, from May to June 2013, using anonymous questionnaires to improve understanding of knowledge and perceptions of air pollution and environmental protection. Descriptive analysis and chi-square tests were performed to estimate the association between concerns about air quality and individual and governmental roles in environmental protection. Five independent variables: respondent’s gender, age, residence, education and income, were statistically analyzed using the chi-square test. The survey was completed by 721 residents (response rate = 89.5 %). Approximately 70 % of the interviewees perceived that the air quality was fair or better, but more than 70 % of participants believed that government in Nanchang has not spent enough resources on preventing air pollution. Almost all of the participants (96.7 %) expressed their support for more governmental actions to improve the air quality and 98 % of the respondents agreed that this is also the responsibility of every citizen. The majority of respondents (over 91 %) worry about the effects of poor air quality on their children’s health in the future. Most citizens, especially those with higher education and income, are strongly supportive of additional efforts to improve air quality. Most respondents (78.5 %) even expressed their willingness to contribute money to improve the air quality.