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Inequality of exposition to air pollution in Prague

Publication at Faculty of Humanities |
2012

Abstract

This paper analyses changes in the inequality of exposure to selected air pollutants in Prague over a time period from 2004 to 2008. While having constant data about population and about approximated number of people living at every address point in Prague, it utilizes data about yearly average pollutant concentrations available from a dispersion models for years 2004, 2006 and 2008.

For the calculation of inequality, it it chooses three indices of inequality originating from economic theory - the Gini coefficient, the Theil index and the Herfindahl index - and shows how specificities can help with interpretation of the distribution dynamics. The paper finds that the overall disparity in concentrations of PM10 is much lower than in case of benzene and NOx.

Also, it shows that while the average air quality in the year 2008 significantly increased, the benefits are not always shared by all.