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Drinking Water Contaminant Concentrations and Birth Outcomes

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  • Richard DiSalvo
  • Elaine L. Hill

Abstract

Previous research in the US has found negative health effects of contamination when it triggers regulatory violations. An important question is whether levels of contamination that do not trigger a health-based violation impact health. We study the impact of drinking water contamination in community water systems on birth outcomes using drinking water sampling results data in Pennsylvania. We create an overall water quality index and an index specific to reproductive health. We focus on the effects of water contamination for births not exposed to regulatory violations. Our most rigorous specification employs mother fixed effects and finds changing from the 10th to the 90th percentile of water contamination (among births not exposed to regulatory violations) increases low birth weight by 12% and preterm birth by 17%.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard DiSalvo & Elaine L. Hill, 2023. "Drinking Water Contaminant Concentrations and Birth Outcomes," NBER Working Papers 31567, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31567
    Note: CH EEE EH
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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