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A Thousand Cuts: Cumulative Lead Exposure Reduces Academic Achievement

Author

Listed:
  • Alex Hollingsworth
  • Jiafang Mike Huang
  • Ivan Rudik
  • Nicholas J. Sanders

Abstract

We study how lead exposure impacts learning in elementary school using a natural experiment where a national automotive racing organization switched from leaded to unleaded fuel. Increased lead exposure harms academic performance, shifting the entire performance distribution, and negatively impacting both younger and older children. For a given total quantity of exposure, the marginal impacts of lead appear greater when spread over more years. The average treated student loses $5,200 of future income in present-value terms. This effect is similar to reducing class size by three students or increasing school spending per pupil by $750.

Suggested Citation

  • Alex Hollingsworth & Jiafang Mike Huang & Ivan Rudik & Nicholas J. Sanders, 2025. "A Thousand Cuts: Cumulative Lead Exposure Reduces Academic Achievement," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 60(3), pages 950-976.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:60:y:2025:i:3:p:950-976
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0222-12169R2
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    File URL: http://jhr.uwpress.org/cgi/reprint/60/3/950
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    Cited by:

    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Heyes, Anthony & Saberian, Soodeh, 2024. "Pollution and learning: Causal evidence from Obama’s Iran sanctions," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    3. Marcus, Michelle, 2025. "Testing above the limit: Drinking water contamination and test scores," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).
    4. Fletcher, Jason & Noghanibehambari, Hamid, 2025. "Early-life lead exposure and male longevity: Evidence from historical municipal water systems," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    5. Reynolds, Nicholas, 2025. "Stunted Adolescence: The Anomalous Growth Pattern of Americans Born After Mid-Century," IZA Discussion Papers 18046, IZA Network @ LISER.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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