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Does Pollution Drive Achievement? The Effect of Traffic Pollution on Academic Performance

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Listed:
  • Jennifer A. Heissel
  • Claudia Persico
  • David Simon

Abstract

We examine the effect of traffic pollution on student outcomes by leveraging variation in wind patterns for schools the same distance from major highways. We compare within-student changes in achievement for students transitioning between schools near highways, where one school has greater levels of pollution because it is downwind of a highway. As students graduate from elementary/middle school to middle/high school, their test scores decrease, behavioral incidents increase, and absence rates increase when they attend a downwind school, relative to when they attend an upwind school in the same zip code. Even within zip codes, microclimates can contribute to inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer A. Heissel & Claudia Persico & David Simon, 2022. "Does Pollution Drive Achievement? The Effect of Traffic Pollution on Academic Performance," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 57(3), pages 747-776.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:57:y:2022:i:3:p:747-776
    Note: DOI: 10.3368/jhr.57.3.1218-9903R2
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    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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