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The Externalities of a Deforestation Control Policy in Infant Health: Evidence from Brazil

Author

Listed:
  • Bladimir Carrillo
  • Danyelle K. Branco
  • Juan C. Trujillo
  • João E. Lima

Abstract

The burning of forest releases a wide range of contaminants, some of which are known to be hazardous for health. Traditional estimates of the costs of deforestation rarely incorporate the health effects of pollution generated by deforestation. This paper provides the first estimates of the local externalities of deforestation in infant health. Our approach exploits a conservation policy that generated a sharp drop in deforestation across municipalities in the Brazilian Amazon. The core findings are that deforestation control policy led to reductions in the incidence of very low birth weight and extreme prematurity, especially for boys. Collectively, these findings provide additional justification for controlling deforestation.

Suggested Citation

  • Bladimir Carrillo & Danyelle K. Branco & Juan C. Trujillo & João E. Lima, 2019. "The Externalities of a Deforestation Control Policy in Infant Health: Evidence from Brazil," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 67(2), pages 369-400.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:ecdecc:doi:10.1086/698164
    DOI: 10.1086/698164
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    Cited by:

    1. Derek Sheehan & Katrina Mullan & Thales A. P. West & Erin O. Semmens, 2024. "Protecting Life and Lung: Protected Areas Affect Fine Particulate Matter and Respiratory Hospitalizations in the Brazilian Amazon Biome," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 87(1), pages 45-87, January.
    2. Garg, Teevrat, 2019. "Ecosystems and Human Health: The Local Benefits of Forest Cover in Indonesia," IZA Discussion Papers 12683, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Xu, Shang & Wang, Yue & Zhang, Hongliang, 2025. "Verdant vitality: forests benefit child health in China," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
    4. Veras, Henrique, 2022. "Wrong place, wrong time: The long-run effects of in-utero exposure to malaria on educational attainment," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 44(C).
    5. Garg, Teevrat, 2019. "Ecosystems and human health: The local benefits of forest cover in Indonesia," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • K32 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Energy, Environmental, Health, and Safety Law
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects

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