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Health benefits of reducing aircraft pollution: evidence from changes in flight paths

Author

Listed:
  • Silvia Beghelli

    (King’s College London)

  • Augustin De Coulon

    (King’s College London
    IZA
    University of Manchester)

  • Mary O’Mahony

    (King’s College London
    University of Manchester
    ZEW)

Abstract

This paper investigates externalities generated by air transportation pollution on health. As a source of exogenous variation, we use an unannounced 5-month trial that reallocated early morning aircraft landings at London Heathrow Airport. Our measure of health is prescribed medications spending on conditions known to be aggravated by pollution, especially sleep disturbances. We observe a significant and substantial decrease in prescribed drugs for respiratory and central nervous system disorders in the areas subjected to reduced air travel between 4:30 am and 6.00 am compared with the control regions. Our findings suggest a causal influence of aviation on health conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia Beghelli & Augustin De Coulon & Mary O’Mahony, 2023. "Health benefits of reducing aircraft pollution: evidence from changes in flight paths," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 36(4), pages 2581-2607, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jopoec:v:36:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s00148-023-00964-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s00148-023-00964-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Pollution; Transportation noise; Health conditions; Spending;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • Q5 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics
    • R4 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics

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