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Air Pollution and Sustainability

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Air, Climate Change and Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 8 November 2025 | Viewed by 3103

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Pallav Purohit

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Pollution Management Research Group, Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) Program, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Interests: mitigation of air pollution and greenhouse gases; non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions; short-lived climate forcers; integrated assessment modelling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Air pollution is a pressing global health and environmental issue, claiming 8.1 million lives in 2021 and ranking as the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Beyond causing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, it accelerates climate change, depletes resources, and degrades ecosystems, undermining efforts to achieve sustainability. Addressing air pollution is vital for safeguarding public health and securing a sustainable future. This Special Issue focuses on the intersection of air pollution, public health, and sustainability, examining its links to resource depletion, ecosystem degradation, and social inequalities. It highlights the importance of transitioning to renewable energy, improving energy efficiency, promoting sustainable transportation, implementing pollution control measures, and encouraging responsible consumption and production to combat air pollution effectively.

This Special Issue invites original research, policy analyses, and innovative approaches addressing air pollution while advancing sustainable development. Topics include source characterization, health impact assessments, climate and ecosystem consequences, policy and public engagement analyses, clean energy solutions, sustainable urban planning, and considerations of social equity and environmental justice. By synthesizing diverse and rigorous studies, the Special Issue aims to provide actionable insights for researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders dedicated to tackling air pollution and fostering a sustainable, equitable future.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Pallav Purohit
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • air pollution and health
  • air pollution control policies and regulations
  • circular economy
  • disparities in air pollution exposure
  • environmental sustainability
  • indoor air pollution
  • sustainable consumption and production
  • social inequalities
  • sustainable cities
  • sustainable urban planning

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 665 KiB  
Article
Hanoi Air Quantitative Report: A Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge, Awareness, and Sustainable Practices Related to Air Pollution Among Residents of Hanoi, Vietnam
by Laura Vanderbloemen, Pranee Liamputtong, Oanh Thi Kieu Nguyen, Khanh Vo Ngoc Hoang, Huy Xuan Huynh, Mai Phuong Hoang, Man Gia Tran, Phat Hoang Nguyen, Tran Ngoc Huyen Pham, Dev Kapil, Ahmed Elgebaly and Andrew W. Taylor-Robinson
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6557; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146557 - 18 Jul 2025
Viewed by 372
Abstract
This study contributes to the broader sustainability discourse by evaluating public knowledge, awareness, and practices regarding air pollution among residents of Hanoi, Vietnam, focusing on its causes, health impacts, and mitigation strategies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 521 individuals in suburbs around [...] Read more.
This study contributes to the broader sustainability discourse by evaluating public knowledge, awareness, and practices regarding air pollution among residents of Hanoi, Vietnam, focusing on its causes, health impacts, and mitigation strategies. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 521 individuals in suburbs around Hanoi. A multistage sampling technique, combining cluster and simple random sampling, was used for participant recruitment. Three central and three suburban districts of Hanoi were randomly selected as clusters. One individual from each household was invited to participate and answer a structured survey, which assessed perceptions of air pollution, its human-induced causes, recognised health impacts, and individual and community-level mitigation behaviours. Nearly all participants (98.3%) were aware of air pollution, with 65.3% attributing it to human activities and 61.2% recognising specific air pollutants as primary contributors. The majority (93.9%) acknowledged health impacts, citing respiratory infections (55.1%) and sinus issues (51.2%) as prevalent concerns. Vulnerable groups, such as children under 5 (82.3%) and adults over 65 years old (77.4%), were identified as disproportionately affected. Social media (68.9%) and television (58.3%) were the dominant sources of information. Despite a recognition of air pollution’s importance (98.5%), there was limited engagement in systemic sustainability actions, such as supporting renewable energy initiatives. Most participants (84.3%) reported personal mitigation efforts, including energy-saving practices (35.5%) and walking instead of driving a car or bike (35.3%). While awareness of air pollution and its health impacts is high among Hanoi residents, proactive engagement in systemic solutions remains limited. Policymakers should prioritise community-based programs, public–private partnerships, sustainability education, and culturally tailored policy interventions to bridge gaps between awareness and action. Tailored interventions addressing demographic and cultural factors are essential to fostering socio-environmental sustainability in rapidly urbanising contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Sustainability)
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24 pages, 7113 KiB  
Article
A Study of the Impact of Industrial Land Development on PM2.5 Concentrations in China
by Qing Liu, Weihao Huang, Shilong Wu, Lianghui Tian and Hui Ren
Sustainability 2025, 17(12), 5327; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125327 - 9 Jun 2025
Viewed by 372
Abstract
To promote the sustainable use of land resources and improve air pollution control, this study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of industrial land development and the heterogeneity of PM2.5 concentrations across regions. Based on national land transaction data and PM2.5 raster datasets, [...] Read more.
To promote the sustainable use of land resources and improve air pollution control, this study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of industrial land development and the heterogeneity of PM2.5 concentrations across regions. Based on national land transaction data and PM2.5 raster datasets, the analysis employs Moran’s I, a hot and cold spot analysis, and multivariate linear regression to examine how the transaction frequency, transaction area, and total transaction price of industrial land influence PM2.5 concentrations in 286 cities from 2010 to 2021. The study focuses on quantifying the impact of industrial land development on PM2.5 concentrations. The main findings are as follows: (1) the frequency of industrial land transactions varies significantly across regions, with clear intra-regional differences. The transaction area and total transaction price decrease in the following order: “East-West-Central-North-East” and “East-Central-West-North-East”, respectively. (2) The spatial clustering of PM2.5 concentrations has intensified, with hot spots concentrated in Eastern and Central cities. Cold spots are distributed in bands along the Southern coast and scattered patterns in Heilongjiang Province. (3) The influence of industrial land development on PM2.5 concentrations has generally weakened nationwide, with the strongest effects observed in the Eastern region. Among the development indicators, the impact of the transaction area is increasing, while those of the transaction frequency and total price are declining, showing clear regional disparities. Therefore, integrating sustainable development principles into the adjustment of the industrial land market is essential for effective air pollution prevention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Sustainability)
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22 pages, 504 KiB  
Article
Air Pollution and the Innovation Gap: A Challenge for Sustainable Growth in Emerging and Growth Leading Economies (EAGLE)
by Junhui Shi, Umar Farooq, Mosab I. Tabash, Hosam Alden Riyadh and Tha’er Abdelwahab Almajali
Sustainability 2025, 17(10), 4423; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104423 - 13 May 2025
Viewed by 550
Abstract
As emerging economies play a pivotal role in global growth, understanding the impact of environmental factors, especially air pollution, on innovation is crucial. This study empirically examines the relationship between air pollution and innovation performance in EAGLE (emerging and growth leading economies) using [...] Read more.
As emerging economies play a pivotal role in global growth, understanding the impact of environmental factors, especially air pollution, on innovation is crucial. This study empirically examines the relationship between air pollution and innovation performance in EAGLE (emerging and growth leading economies) using a 20-year dataset (2000–2019) and employing 2SLS (two-stage least square) and FMOLS (fully modified ordinary least square) estimation techniques. The key findings of the study reveal that air pollution hampers R&D activities and patent applications by weakening human capital, diverting resources, and creating an unfavorable research environment. The results remain robust across multiple control variables and alternative estimation techniques. These findings highlight the urgent need for pollution control policies to mitigate its adverse effects on innovation, offering valuable insights for policymakers striving to enhance innovation resilience amid environmental challenges. This study uniquely explores the causal impact of air pollution on the macro-level innovation performance of a country. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Sustainability)
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27 pages, 11279 KiB  
Article
Identifying the Main Urban Density Factors and Their Heterogeneous Effects on PM2.5 Concentrations in High-Density Historic Neighborhoods from a Social-Biophysical Perspective: A Case Study in Beijing
by Yi Wang, Haomiao Cheng, Bin Cai and Fanding Xiang
Sustainability 2025, 17(8), 3309; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083309 - 8 Apr 2025
Viewed by 648
Abstract
The contradiction between urban density and sustainable environmental development is increasingly prominent. Although numerous studies have examined the impact of urban density on air pollution at the macro level, most previous research at the micro scale has either neglected socioeconomic factors, failed to [...] Read more.
The contradiction between urban density and sustainable environmental development is increasingly prominent. Although numerous studies have examined the impact of urban density on air pollution at the macro level, most previous research at the micro scale has either neglected socioeconomic factors, failed to analyze heterogeneous effects, or ignored historic neighborhoods where high pollution coexists with high density. By considering population, commercial buildings, vegetation, and road factors, an integrated social-biophysical perspective was introduced to evaluate how urban density influences PM2.5 concentration in a historic neighborhood. The study area was divided into 56 units of 120 m × 150 m granularity, as determined by the precision of the LBS population data. The lasso regression and quantile regression were adopted to explore the main factors affecting PM2.5 and their heterogeneous effects. The results showed that (1) building density was the most important driving factor of pollutants. It had a strong and consistent negative effect on PM2.5 concentrations at all quantile levels, indicating the homogeneity effect. (2) Short-term human mobility represented by the visiting population density was the second main factor influencing pollutants, which has a significantly positive influence on PM2.5. The heterogeneous effects suggested that the areas with moderate pollution levels were the key areas to control PM2.5. (3) Vegetation Patch Shape Index was the third main factor, which has a positive influence on PM2.5, indicating the complex vegetation patterns are not conducive to PM2.5 dispersion in historic neighborhoods. Its heterogeneous effect presented a curvilinear trend, peaking at the 50th quantile, indicating that moderately polluted areas are the most responsive to improvements in vegetation morphology for PM2.5 reduction. These findings can provide effective support for the improvement of air quality in historical neighborhoods of the city’s central area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Sustainability)
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14 pages, 1140 KiB  
Review
The Asian Tropopause Aerosol Layer: Spatio-Temporal Characteristics, Trends, and Climate Effects
by Hongchao Liu and Junjie Ma
Sustainability 2025, 17(8), 3381; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083381 - 10 Apr 2025
Viewed by 487
Abstract
During the South Asian Summer Monsoon (SASM), intense large-scale uplift and strong deep convective activity over South Asia lead to the formation of a high aerosol concentration zone in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere (UTLS), known as the Asian Troposphere Aerosol Layer [...] Read more.
During the South Asian Summer Monsoon (SASM), intense large-scale uplift and strong deep convective activity over South Asia lead to the formation of a high aerosol concentration zone in the Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere (UTLS), known as the Asian Troposphere Aerosol Layer (ATAL), which appears from June to August. ATAL not only influences the exchange processes of material and energy between the troposphere and stratosphere, but also affects the global climate by altering radiation, cloud formation, and precipitation processes. Therefore, examining the spatiotemporal distribution and climate impacts of ATAL is essential for understanding climate change and evaluating the feasibility of geoengineering. This study systematically reviews research progress on the three-dimensional spatiotemporal distribution, trends, sources, and climatic effects of ATAL. Findings reveal a prominent aerosol layer at the top of the Asian troposphere, and the SASM region potentially serving as a critical conduit for constituents of the boundary layer to reach the stratosphere. However, simulated ATAL components differ significantly across models, particularly in terms of vertical distribution patterns. The precise three-dimensional structure and long-term evolution of ATAL remain unclear, presenting challenges for assessing its climate impact. To advance the understanding of the roles of ATAL in climate change, three future research directions are proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Air Pollution and Sustainability)
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