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Drinking water contaminant concentrations and birth outcomes

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  • Richard W. DiSalvo
  • Elaine L. Hill

Abstract

Previous research in the U.S. has found negative health effects of contamination when it triggers regulatory violations. An important question is whether levels of contamination that do not trigger a health‐based violation impact health. We study the impact of drinking water contamination in community water systems on birth outcomes using drinking water sampling results data in Pennsylvania. We focus on the effects of water contamination for births not exposed to regulatory violations. Our most rigorous specification employs mother fixed effects and finds changing from the 10th to the 90th percentile of water contamination (among births not exposed to regulatory violations) increases low birth weight by 12% and preterm birth by 17%.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard W. DiSalvo & Elaine L. Hill, 2024. "Drinking water contaminant concentrations and birth outcomes," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(2), pages 368-399, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jpamgt:v:43:y:2024:i:2:p:368-399
    DOI: 10.1002/pam.22558
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • 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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