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Particle Pollution and Cognition: Evidence from Sensitive Cognitive Tests in Brazil

Author

Listed:
  • Arjun S. Bedi
  • Marcos Y. Nakaguma
  • Brandon J. Restrepo
  • Matthias Rieger

Abstract

This paper analyzes the impact of short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on the cognitive performance of students who were tested on a range of sensitive tests at a large university in Brazil. To examine whether the effect of PM2.5 varies by cognitive domain, we employ tests measuring simple attention, complex attention, arithmetic processing speed, working memory, and fluid reasoning. Exploiting plausibly exogenous variation in fine particulate matter—which easily penetrates indoor settings—across 54 lab sessions over a 3-year period with 464 students, we find evidence suggesting that exposure to high levels of PM2.5 reduces performance on a fluid reasoning test. By contrast, we do not find evidence to support an effect of PM2.5 on the other cognitive tests, although we are underpowered to detect modest effects on these tests.

Suggested Citation

  • Arjun S. Bedi & Marcos Y. Nakaguma & Brandon J. Restrepo & Matthias Rieger, 2021. "Particle Pollution and Cognition: Evidence from Sensitive Cognitive Tests in Brazil," Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, University of Chicago Press, vol. 8(3), pages 443-474.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jaerec:doi:10.1086/711592
    DOI: 10.1086/711592
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Timothy J. Halliday & Rachel Inafuku & Lester Lusher & Aureo de Paula, 2022. "VOG: Using Volcanic Eruptions to Estimate the Impact of Air Pollution on Student Learning Outcomes," Working Papers 202203, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Economics.
    2. Zhenyu Yao & Wei Zhang & Xinde Ji & Weizhe Weng, 2023. "Short-Term Exposure to Air Pollution and Cognitive Performance: New Evidence from China’s College English Test," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 85(1), pages 211-237, May.
    3. Nikolai Cook, Anthony Heyes, Nicholas Rivers, 2023. "Clean Air and Cognitive Productivity: Effect and Adaptation," LCERPA Working Papers bm0137, Laurier Centre for Economic Research and Policy Analysis.
    4. Lohmann, Paul M. & Gsottbauer, Elisabeth & You, Jing & Kontoleon, Andreas, 2023. "Air pollution and anti-social behaviour: Evidence from a randomised lab-in-the-field experiment," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    5. La Nauze, Andrea & Severnini, Edson R., 2021. "Air Pollution and Adult Cognition: Evidence from Brain Training," IZA Discussion Papers 14353, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    6. Pham, Linh & Roach, Travis, 2023. "Particulate pollution and learning," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    7. Bellani, Luna & Ceolotto, Stefano & Elsner, Benjamin & Pestel, Nico, 2021. "Air Pollution Affects Decision-Making: Evidence from the Ballot Box," IZA Discussion Papers 14718, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    8. Shr, Yau-Huo & Hsu, Wen & Hwang, Bing-Fang & Jung, Chau-Ren, 2023. "Air quality and risky behaviors on roads," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    9. Luis Sarmiento & Adam Nowakowski, 2023. "Court Decisions and Air Pollution: Evidence from Ten Million Penal Cases in India," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 86(3), pages 605-644, November.
    10. Wen Hsu & Bing-Fang Hwang & Chau-Ren Jung & Yau-Huo Jimmy Shr, 2021. "Can Air Pollution Save Lives? Air Quality and Risky Behaviors on Roads," Papers 2111.06837, arXiv.org, revised Dec 2021.

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