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What are the Long-Term Effects of Prenatal Air Pollution Exposure? Evidence from the BHPS

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  • Patrick Gourley

    (The University of New Haven)

Abstract

The detrimental impacts of air pollution on human health are significant. Pollution increases mortality in the elderly and reduces worker productivity. While a consensus is beginning to emerge on the contemporaneous effects of air pollution, the long-term effects are still largely unknown. By combining restricted data from a comprehensive national survey with historical pollution data, I plausibly isolate the impact of prenatal particulate matter exposure on adult outcomes. I find that those with higher levels of prenatal exposure during the second trimester of gestation are more likely to be disabled, earn lower wages, and have worse health.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Gourley, 2020. "What are the Long-Term Effects of Prenatal Air Pollution Exposure? Evidence from the BHPS," Eastern Economic Journal, Palgrave Macmillan;Eastern Economic Association, vol. 46(4), pages 603-635, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:easeco:v:46:y:2020:i:4:d:10.1057_s41302-020-00173-5
    DOI: 10.1057/s41302-020-00173-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Paolo Girardi & Silvia Lanfranchi & Libera Ylenia Mastromatteo & Massimo Stafoggia & Sara Scrimin, 2021. "Association between Exposure to Particulate Matter during Pregnancy and Multidimensional Development in School-Age Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Air pollution; Disability; Wages; Health;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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