Understanding PM2.5 risk information seeking and processing among South Koreans: evidence of desensitization?

Abstract

This study examines how South Koreans seek and process information about PM2.5 air pollution, amidst concerns of desensitization to its health impacts due to prolonged exposure. A survey was conducted with a sample of 1,500 respondents. Our findings reveal that exposure to PM2.5-related information is positively correlated with risk perceptions and negative emotions. The effect of exposure to PM2.5 information on current knowledge regarding PM2.5 is mediated by perceived information gathering capacity. Interestingly, respondents perceive themselves to have sufficient knowledge about PM2.5, surpassing the threshold knowledge level. This observation contrasts with earlier studies on risk information, suggesting a unique dynamic in the context of PM2.5 pollution. Our findings support the mediation hypotheses, suggesting that exposure and risk perceptions are positively correlated with information seeking effort and systematic processing by eliciting negative emotions. The mediation analysis results also suggest that perceived severity has a more substantial influence on risk information behaviors than perceived susceptibility.