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Straw Burning, PM2.5 and Death: Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Guojun He

    (Assistant Professor, Department of Economics , Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Technology.Author-Email: gjhe@ust.hk)

  • Tong Liu

    (Research Assistant Professor, Division of Social Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Technology.Author-Email: tongliu@ust.hk)

  • Maigeng Zhou

    (Affiliate Professor, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington Technology.Author-Email: maigengzhou@126.com)

Abstract

Agricultural straw burning significantly increases air pollution and cardiorespiratory mortality. A 10 ugm3 increase in PM2.5 increases monthly mortality by 3.25%. Middle-aged and old people are particularly vulnerable to straw burning pollution. Subsidizing straw recycling can bring about significant health benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Guojun He & Tong Liu & Maigeng Zhou, 2021. "Straw Burning, PM2.5 and Death: Evidence from China," HKUST IEMS Thought Leadership Brief Series 2021-51, HKUST Institute for Emerging Market Studies, revised Jan 2021.
    • Handle: RePEc:hku:briefs:202151
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    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • R1 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics

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