Effects of Air Pollution on Assaults: Findings from South Korea

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of concentration of air pollution on assault rates for 204 police districts of South Korea from 2001 to 2018. A series of panel spatial Durbin models for the concentration of ozone, fine dust, and nitrogen dioxide-three key air pollutants of the country-identify the significant impacts of air pollution on assault rates that vary from each other. Ozone is expected to induce more assaults both locally and regionally. Fine dust decreases assault rates of an area and also in neighboring areas. Nitrogen dioxide yields positive effects on the surrounding areas' assault rates but not in area of pollution itself. Findings of this study suggest the need to incorporate active measures on air pollution and violent crime at both city and inter-city levels. They also propose the active sharing of information on air pollution and crime between cities and regions as a collaborative response.</p>