Heterogeneity of population exposure to particulate matter pollution and its socioeconomic driving mechanism in Shaanxi Province, China

The rapid pace of economic and social development has led to a surge of particulate matter (PM) pollution incidents, which is detrimental to human health. Air quality in China has improved in recent years, but differences in PM exposure remain due to spatial heterogeneity in pollution and population. The identification of socioeconomic factors associated with PM pollution has attracted widespread attention. Current research predominantly targets cities, overlooking regional and county scale disparities. An analytical framework is established to evaluate the spatial heterogeneity in PM exposure and to identify the socioeconomic factors contributing to its pollution. The results revealed that: (1) the Theil index increased from 0.06 to 0.12, indicating a gradual increase in the inequality of PM exposure in Shaanxi Province. The differences within the Guanzhong Plain are obvious and the interregional differences substantially outweigh the intraregional variations. (2) Energy transition is pivotal in curbing air pollution in a region and economic growth consistently fuels particulate emissions. (3) For effective pollution mitigation, further emphasis on vegetation preservation and environmental inputs is imperative. The findings of this research provide decision support for optimizing air pollution control measures at the county scale.