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Indoor Air Quality, Information, and Socio-Economic Status: Evidence from Delhi

Author

Listed:
  • Michael Greenstone

    (University of Chicago - Department of Economics; NBER)

  • Kenneth Lee

    (University of Chicago - Department of Economics)

  • Harshil Sahai

    (University of Chicago - Department of Economics)

Abstract

Delhi faces some of the world’s highest concentrations of PM2.5, the most damaging form of air pollution. Although awareness of outdoor air pollution is rising across the world, there is limited information on indoor air pollution (IAP) levels, particularly in heavily polluted cities like Delhi. Even less evidence exists on how IAP varies by socio-economic status (SES), and whether or not addressing information gaps can change defensive investments against IAP. In this paper, we deploy Indoor Air Quality Monitors (IAQMs) in thousands of Delhi households across varying socio-economic strata in order to document IAP levels during the peak wintertime air pollution period. Across high and low SES households, we document indoor PM2.5 levels that are: (1) extraordinarily high — more than 20 times World Health Organization (WHO) standards; (2) only 10 percent lower in high (versus low) SES households; and (3) significantly higher than levels reported by the nearest, outdoor government monitors, the main source of public information on air pollution in this setting. We then report on a field experiment that randomly assigned IAQMs, as well as an opportunity to rent an air purifier at a subsidized price, across medium and high SES homes during the 2019-20 winter season.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael Greenstone & Kenneth Lee & Harshil Sahai, 2021. "Indoor Air Quality, Information, and Socio-Economic Status: Evidence from Delhi," Working Papers 2021-06, Becker Friedman Institute for Research In Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:bfi:wpaper:2021-06
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kenneth Lee & Harshil Sahai & Patrick Baylis & Michael Greenstone, 2020. "Job Loss and Behavioral Change: The Unprecedented Effects of the India Lockdown in Delhi," Working Papers 2020-65, Becker Friedman Institute for Research In Economics.
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    Cited by:

    1. A. Balietti & S. Datta & S. Veljanoska, 2022. "Air pollution and child development in India," Post-Print hal-03662124, HAL.
    2. Balietti, Anca & Datta, Souvik & Veljanoska, Stefanija, 2022. "Air pollution and child development in India," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    3. repec:awi:wpaper:0729 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Huang, Jialin & Xing, Jianwei & Yongchen Zou, Eric, 2023. "(Re)scheduling pollution exposure: The case of surgery schedules," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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