An Analysis of Deaths Caused by PM2.5 air pollution through the Teachings on Kamma and Pāṇātipāta

Abstract

Due to the fact that a large number of people worldwide have died as a result of PM 2.5 particulate matter, and given that PM2.5 air pollution is known to be generated by human activities, this academic article raises the question of whether individuals who produce PM 2.5 air pollution can be considered to have violated the first precept, Pāṇātipātā. To address this question, the author used the case of the deaths of four faculty members at Chiang Mai University caused by PM2.5 air pollution as a case study, analyzing it through the teachings on kamma and Pāṇātipātā. The analysis found that individuals who generate PM2.5 air pollution cannot be considered to have violated the first precept, Pāṇātipātā, because their actions do not fulfill all five conditions of this precept. Nevertheless, such individuals can be regarded as having committed unwholesome actions. In other words, their actions are classified as unwholesome kamma; however, in cases where the individuals did not intend to produce PM2.5 air pollution, their actions are considered akusalakamma in the form of kattākatta.