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Residential noise exposure and health: Evidence from aviation noise and birth outcomes

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Listed:
  • Argys, Laura M.
  • Averett, Susan L.
  • Yang, Muzhe

Abstract

Utilizing information on exact home addresses on birth records, we exploit arguably exogenous variation in noise exposure triggered by a new Federal Aviation Administration policy called NextGen, which unintentionally increased noise levels in communities experiencing concentrated flight patterns. We examine the fetal health impact of exposure to noise levels in excess of the EPA and the WHO recommended threshold of 55 dB. We find that the likelihood of having low birth weight (LBW) babies increases by 1.6 percentage points among mothers who live close to the airport, in the direction of the runway, exposed to noise levels over the 55 dB threshold, and during the period when NextGen was more actively implemented at the airport. Our finding has important policy implications for the trade-off between flight pattern optimization and human health in light of the long-term impact of LBW on later life outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Argys, Laura M. & Averett, Susan L. & Yang, Muzhe, 2020. "Residential noise exposure and health: Evidence from aviation noise and birth outcomes," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeeman:v:103:y:2020:i:c:s0095069620300668
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.2020.102343
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Laura M. Argys & Susan L. Averett & Muzhe Yang, 2021. "Light pollution, sleep deprivation, and infant health at birth," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 87(3), pages 849-888, January.
    2. Xuemei Zhang & Haitao Yin & Feng Wang, 2025. "Same pollution but different health impact: the role of economic condition," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 69(6), pages 3337-3365, December.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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