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The effects of exposure to air pollution on subjective wellbeing in China

In: Handbook on Wellbeing, Happiness and the Environment

Author

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  • Xin Zhang
  • Xi Chen
  • Xiaobo Zhang

Abstract

This chapter studies the impact of six main air pollutants on three key dimensions of subjective wellbeing (SWB): life satisfaction, hedonic happiness and mental health. The authors match a nationally representative survey in China with local air quality and weather conditions according to the exact date and county of each interview. By making use of variations in exposures to air pollution across similar respondents living in the same county, the authors find that particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) reduces hedonic happiness and increases the rate of depressive symptoms, but does not affect life satisfaction. Their results show that the benefits of reducing air pollution would be higher if the hidden costs of air pollution on SWB in China are taken into account.

Suggested Citation

  • Xin Zhang & Xi Chen & Xiaobo Zhang, 2020. "The effects of exposure to air pollution on subjective wellbeing in China," Chapters, in: David Maddison & Katrin Rehdanz & Heinz Welsch (ed.), Handbook on Wellbeing, Happiness and the Environment, chapter 10, pages 183-200, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:elg:eechap:18339_10
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    Cited by:

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economics and Finance;

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • 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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