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The Effects of Hazardous Chemical Cleanups on Birth Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Dennis Guignet
  • Kyle Vetter
  • Linda Bui
  • Heather Klemick
  • Ron Shadbegian

Abstract

Focusing on hazardous chemical cleanups under the US Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), we employ a reverse difference-in-differences design to estimate the effects of cleanup on birth outcomes. Data on the population of births in North Carolina from 1990-2019 are linked to cleanups at contaminated sites across the state. We find robust evidence that for children born to mothers residing within 250 meters, cleanup leads to an almost one week increase in gestational age, and a 6 to 8 percentage point reduction in the risk of preterm birth. Cleanup may also lead to improvements in birthweight, but these results are not statistically significant across all models. Assessments of the post-treatment trends and demographic sorting support a causal interpretation of the results. We illustrate how these quantified improvements in newborn health can be monetized to inform local land use and cleanup decisions, as well as future regulations under RCRA. Key Words: birth, childrenÕs health, cleanup, exposure, hazardous, health, RCRA

Suggested Citation

  • Dennis Guignet & Kyle Vetter & Linda Bui & Heather Klemick & Ron Shadbegian, 2025. "The Effects of Hazardous Chemical Cleanups on Birth Outcomes," Working Papers 25-10, Department of Economics, Appalachian State University.
    • Handle: RePEc:apl:wpaper:25-10
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    File URL: http://econ.appstate.edu/RePEc/pdf/wp2510.pdf
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public 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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