A1424
Title: Toxic tradeoffs: Ambient air quality and mental health in Africa
Authors: Chon-Kit Ao - National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan) [presenting]
Naveen Sunder - Bentley University (United States)
Abstract: Over 90\% of Africa's population is exposed to unsafe levels of airborne particulate matter, yet the mental health implications of this exposure remain largely unexplored. Using spatially linked survey and satellite data from 16 African countries, the short-run relationship between ambient PM2.5 pollution and mental well-being is examined. Contrary to findings from higher-income settings, increased PM2.5 concentrations are found to be associated with modest reductions in depression- and anxiety-related symptoms. Higher pollution may signal rising industrial activity and income in these low-income contexts, with the mental health benefits of increased economic opportunity outweighing the direct harms of pollution exposure. The results highlight the need for context-specific approaches to reconcile economic growth with environmental and mental health, emphasizing the importance of transferring cleaner production technologies to low-income settings.
