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The mortality impact of fine particulate matter in China: Evidence from trade shocks

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  • Gong, Yazhen
  • Li, Shanjun
  • Sanders, Nicholas J.
  • Shi, Guang

Abstract

We use county-level panel data to estimate the long-run effect of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution on mortality in China. Our causal inference relies on changes in local pollution via wind transport and demand shocks of Chinese products from export destinations amid the global economic crisis during the late 2000s. We find an economically and statistically significant impact of long-term exposure to PM2.5 on cardiovascular and respiratory mortality, and the effect is the largest for those 65 years and older. Using the substantial variation in pollution levels both across time and space in China, we provide evidence of a concave dose-response function, with diminishing marginal mortality impacts of pollution at levels beyond those in developed nations.

Suggested Citation

  • Gong, Yazhen & Li, Shanjun & Sanders, Nicholas J. & Shi, Guang, 2023. "The mortality impact of fine particulate matter in China: Evidence from trade shocks," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeeman:v:117:y:2023:i:c:s0095069622001127
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.2022.102759
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    1. Yu, Zhuangxiong & Cheng, Jiajia & Mukhopadhaya, Pundarik & Dong, Jiemiao, 2023. "Do information spillovers across products aggravate product market monopoly? An examination with Chinese data," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    PM2.5; Mortality; Dose-response function; Nonlinearity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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