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There is a knowledge gap on how ground-level particulate pollution affects labor productivity in emerging nations due to a lack of study, especially when it comes to outdoor work settings like couriers in the express delivery industry. Combining findings from two research projects, this paper examines the socioeconomic consequences of particulate matter and ground-level particulate pollution. Special panel dataset from China's express delivery companies are used, we study how particulate pollution affects courier productivity. The instrumental variable of our analysis was built by particulate pollution data from upwind towns. Moreover, a comparable rise in particulate levels during the 30 days caused a significant 23.7% decline in worker productivity. This draws attention to a neglected area of the economic effects of particulate pollution, especially in underdeveloped countries. Our results also highlight the wider health hazards connected to outdoor activities in high-pollution locations, drawing comparisons on outdoor exercisers and particulate matter concentrations. The critical need for coordinated policy attention addressing both ground-level Particulate and particle matters in developing nations is highlighted by the increased risk of lung function impairment among outdoor exercisers owing to excessive particulate matter concentrations. The interrelated risks that air pollution poses to public health and economic productivity are clarified by this Comprehensive viewpoint. • Examines the socioeconomic consequences of particulate matter and ground-level ozone pollution. • Using a special panel dataset from one of China's top express delivery companies. • Air pollution poses to public health and economic productivity are clarified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is considered a main public health issue as it remarkably adds the risk of cardiovascular disease, leading to a heavy burden of disease. There is growing evidence linking fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) exposure to MetS. However, the influences of PM 2.5 constituents, especially in children and adolescents, remain unclear. Our study was according to a national analysis among Chinese children and adolescents to examine the associations between long-term exposure to PM 2.5 main constituents and MetS. A total of 10,066 children and adolescents aged 10–18 years were recruited in 7 provinces in China, with blood tests, health exams, and questionnaire surveys. We estimated long-term exposures to PM 2.5 mass and its five constituents, containing black carbon (BC), organic matter (OM), inorganic nitrate (NO 3 −), sulfate (SO 4 2−), and soil particles (SOIL) from multi-source data fusion models. Mixed-effects logistic regression models were used with the adjustment of a variety of covariates. In the surveyed populations, 2.9% were classified as MetS. From the single-pollutant models, we discovered that long-term exposures to PM 2.5 mass, BC, OM, NO 3 −, as well as SO 4 2−, were significantly associated with the prevalence of MetS, with odds ratios (ORs) per 1 μg/m3 that were 1.02 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.03) for PM 2.5 mass, 1.24 (95% CI: 1.14, 1.35) for BC, 1.07 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.11) for OM, 1.09 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.13) for NO 3 −, and 1.14 (95% CI:1.04, 1.24) for SO 4 2−. The influence of BC on the prevalence of MetS was robust in both the multi-pollutant model and the PM 2.5 -constituent joint model. The paper indicates long-term exposure to PM 2.5 mass and specific PM 2.5 constituents, particularly for BC, was significantly associated with a higher MetS prevalence among children and adolescents in China. Our results highlight the significance of establishing further regulations on PM 2.5 constituents. • 10,066 children and adolescents from 7 province with blood tests were involved. • Long-term exposure to PM 2.5 mass was significantly associated with the childhood MetS. • Black carbon exposure has a robust positive association with childhood MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]