Quantifying the Source–Receptor Relationships of PM2.5 Pollution and Associated Health Impacts among China, South Korea, and Japan: A Dual Perspective and an Interdisciplinary Approach

Our findings show that mutual contributions of <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mi>PM</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn>2.5</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:mrow></mml:math> pollution and associated health impacts among the three countries varied considerably when different metrics and accounting perspectives were applied. A consumption perspective revealed narrower gaps in mutual contributions than a production perspective. Moreover, other countries outside Northeast Asia may have played a significant role in contributing to <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mi>PM</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn>2.5</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:mrow></mml:math> pollution and associated health impacts in Northeast Asia, suggesting that Northeast Asian countries should look beyond this region and collaborate with the rest of the world to jointly develop effective <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mi>PM</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn>2.5</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:mrow></mml:math> mitigation strategies. Our findings could help policymakers, scholars, and the public in China, South Korea, and Japan understand the intricacies involved in assigning environmental responsibilities and achieving environmental justice with respect to transboundary <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:msub><mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mi>PM</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mn>2.5</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msub></mml:mrow></mml:mrow></mml:math> pollution. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14550.