Seoul, 28th October, 2025: Air pollution doesn’t just harm health it can also make workplaces more dangerous, according to a new study from Yonsei University.
Analyzing 5,873 workplace safety liability accidents in China over a span of 20 years, researchers found that doubling PM2.5 concentrations led to a 2.6-fold increase in accident probability, 37% more deaths, and 51% more injuries. The study sheds light on a critical but often overlooked consequence of air pollution its impact on industrial safety and the economic burden it imposes on society.
The research, led by Dr. Ning Zhang of Yonsei University in South Korea, in collaboration with Dr. Zaikun Hou of Shandong University and Dr. Huan Chen of the University of Cambridge, was published in Energy Economics on September 18, 2025.
Linking Pollution to Workplace Risk
While air pollution is widely recognized as a public health hazard, its influence on workplace safety has received little attention. To address this gap, the researchers matched two decades of accident data (2000–2020) with local air quality and weather conditions across China.
By using thermal inversions natural weather events that trap pollutants near the ground as an instrumental variable, the study was able to establish a causal relationship between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and workplace accidents.
The findings revealed that industries such as coal mining and construction were the most severely affected. Pollution-related accidents were estimated to cost society between USD 4.9 billion and USD 10.1 billion, underscoring the substantial economic impact of air pollution on workplace safety.
Expanding the Understanding of Air Pollution’s Costs
“Our study shows that air pollution can significantly increase both the occurrence and severity of workplace accidents across industries,” said Dr. Zhang. “This extends the social cost of air pollution beyond traditional health and productivity losses, revealing a new dimension of its economic and human burden.”
Dr. Zhang also pointed to a growing body of research highlighting this issue: “The importance of this topic is gaining recognition. For instance, a 2025 Journal of Public Economics study by Victor Lavy and colleagues also found that higher air pollution levels increase workplace accident risks. Together, these findings signal that the safety implications of air pollution deserve greater policy attention.”
Practical Steps and Policy Implications
The study offers several actionable recommendations for companies and policymakers to mitigate risks during pollution spikes, such as:
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Providing protective masks and air purifiers for workers.
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Enhancing indoor ventilation systems.
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Issuing early safety alerts during high-pollution periods.
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Rescheduling or limiting high-risk tasks when air quality worsens.
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Incorporating air-quality indicators into occupational risk management systems.
The researchers argue that integrating environmental regulation with workplace safety standards could help reduce the frequency and severity of accidents while improving worker well-being.
“Over the next five to ten years, our findings could guide policies that link air quality management with occupational safety frameworks,” Dr. Zhang noted. “For ordinary people, that means cleaner air, safer workplaces, and more resilient communities.”
A Call for Integrated Action
While the authors acknowledge limitations—such as potential underreporting of accidents and the study’s focus on short-term exposure—their analysis, based on two decades of data, offers compelling causal evidence that air pollution is not just an environmental or health concern but also a workplace safety hazard.
The study’s findings urge governments, industries, and organizations to view air quality management as an essential component of occupational safety and economic sustainability.
