Workers’ Acquiescence to Air Pollution: A Qualitative Study of Coal Miners in China

Coal extraction releases pollutants to the air that affect health and well-being of not only coal communities but also societies at large. However, provides people with stable livelihoods. Given this, how do workers perceive pollution is produced by their own industry? To answer this question, I interviewed miners in China. My findings present a paradox: Although identify certain sources pollution, these same nevertheless deny existence pollution. reveal that, order collectively avoid mention any quality issues, must direct confrontation authority—that authority has forged formulated acquiescence among work. Acknowledging issues could disturb miners’ employment stability creating anxiety fear, challenging ontological security.