Changes in Air Pollution-Related Behaviour Measured by Google Trends Search Volume Index in Response to Reported Air Quality in Poland

Abstract

Decreased air quality is connected to an increase in daily mortality rates. Thus, people’s behavioural response to sometimes elevated air pollution levels is vital. We aimed to analyse spatial and seasonal changes in air pollution-related information-seeking behaviour in response to nationwide reported air quality in Poland. Google Trends Search Volume Index data was used to investigate Poles’ interest in air pollution-related keywords. PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations measured across Poland between 2016 and 2019 as well as locations of monitoring stations were collected from the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection databases. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficients were used to measure the strength of spatial and seasonal relationships between reported air pollution levels and the popularity of search queries. The highest PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were observed in southern voivodeships and during the winter season. Similar trends were observed for Poles’ interest in air pollution-related keywords. Greater interest in air quality data in Poland strongly correlates with both higher regional and higher seasonal air pollution levels. It appears that Poles are socially aware of this issue and that their intensification of the information-seeking behaviour seems to indicate a relevant ad hoc response to variable threat severity levels.

Air Pollution in Poland: A 2022 Narrative Review with Focus on Respiratory Diseases

“…There is a need for increased awareness among both the general public and medical professionals of the burden of disease attributable to air pollution. In a previous study, we found that in general, the Poles living in the southern part of Poland search the internet more frequently for air pollution-related terms [ 5 ]. Moreover, the relative keyword search intensity increased during winter, when air pollution is generally higher [ 5 ].…”

“…In a previous study, we found that in general, the Poles living in the southern part of Poland search the internet more frequently for air pollution-related terms [ 5 ]. Moreover, the relative keyword search intensity increased during winter, when air pollution is generally higher [ 5 ]. Thus, people seem to respond behaviourally to elevated air pollution levels.…”

“…Moreover, Polish cities are among the urban areas with the highest estimated PM mortality burden [ 4 ]. Despite a consistent decrease in annual outdoor PM concentrations in the most polluted Polish cities in the recent decade, current values still do not meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines [ 5 , 6 ].…”

“…In 2021, the WHO reviewed their 2005 guidelines and reduced the maximum recommended mean annual PM 10 concentrations to 15 μg/m 3 , PM 2.5 to 5 μg/m 3 and NO 2 to 10 μg/m 3 [ 7 ]. These values were greatly exceeded in Poland between 2016 and 2019, especially in the southern part of Poland and during the winter season [ 5 ]. In addition, even if the less restrictive interim 3 target values are considered, 15 μg/m 3 (PM 2.5 ), 30 μg/m 3 (PM 10 ), and 20 μg/m 3 (NO 2 ), the thresholds are still exceeded in the majority of polish cities [ 5 , 8 ].…”

“…These values were greatly exceeded in Poland between 2016 and 2019, especially in the southern part of Poland and during the winter season [ 5 ]. In addition, even if the less restrictive interim 3 target values are considered, 15 μg/m 3 (PM 2.5 ), 30 μg/m 3 (PM 10 ), and 20 μg/m 3 (NO 2 ), the thresholds are still exceeded in the majority of polish cities [ 5 , 8 ]. Moreover, in 2021 the WHO recommended that the 24-h mean daily concentrations should not exceed 15 μg/m 3 (PM 2.5 ), 45 μg/m 3 (PM 10 ), and 25 μg/m 3 (NO 2 ), respectively [ 8 ].…”