Perception of Air Quality in BogotÁ and Surrounding Municipalities

Air pollution is responsible for 10,527 annual deaths in Colombia, according to the National Planning Department. For Bogotá, this figure reaches 3,219 people in one year (DNP, 2017). Poor air quality is associated with diseases and deaths from lung cancer, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular diseases, among others. Not surprisingly, 51% of Colombians perceive air quality as the greatest environmental problem (DNP, 2018). In order to know the perception that citizens have about air quality, an online survey with closed questions was carried out between October 10 and December 10, 2020. It was completed by 1,581 people belonging to the city of Bogotá and neighboring municipalities. The survey was divided into five sections: socioeconomic conditions, knowledge and communication, alert events, citizen participation, and public health. It is the first time in the country that a survey of this magnitude has been developed on the subject of air quality by an interdisciplinary and inter-institutional team. According to the results obtained, 99% of those surveyed consider that air quality affects their health, with symptoms such as burning eyes, discomfort in the throat and nose, difficulty breathing, chest pain, anxiety, and dizziness, in areas of the city or periods with poor air quality. Respondents perceive the problem of air quality, however, they do not inform themselves about it, nor do they know how to do it. 75% of the state that they can smell, see or feel polluted air. 65% of the people never consult the state of the air quality of their locality or municipality. The foregoing is due to ignorance of the sources of information or the difficulty of accessing your query. Indeed, 44% of those surveyed do not know that air quality reports are available online. The study reveals that the media and social networks can be of great help in the dissemination of air quality information and its effects since about 72% of those surveyed use social networks to receive information on the subject. Television, digital and written press; and the radio also represent an opportunity for information. The results also reflect the low level of citizen participation in activities related to the improvement or protection of air quality. However, participation increases to the extent that respondents have a better knowledge of this problem. The research allowed to make visible the importance of true governance in environmental health for the improvement of the conditions of its surroundings, incorporating communication strategies and social appropriation of knowledge that facilitate and guarantee public health and the right to a healthy environment.