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The Long-Term Effects of Early-Life Pollution Exposure: Evidence from the London Smog

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  • Stephanie von Hinke

    (School of Economics, University of Bristol, Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Institute for Fiscal Studies)

  • Emil N. S{o}rensen

    (School of Economics, University of Bristol)

Abstract

This paper uses a large UK cohort to investigate the impact of early-life pollution exposure on individuals' human capital and health outcomes in older age. We compare individuals who were exposed to the London smog in December 1952 whilst in utero or in infancy to those born after the smog and those born at the same time but in unaffected areas. We find that those exposed to the smog have substantially lower fluid intelligence and worse respiratory health, with some evidence of a reduction in years of schooling.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephanie von Hinke & Emil N. S{o}rensen, 2022. "The Long-Term Effects of Early-Life Pollution Exposure: Evidence from the London Smog," Papers 2202.11785, arXiv.org, revised Oct 2023.
  • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2202.11785
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    Cited by:

    1. Gerard J. van den Berg & Stephanie von Hinke & Nicolai Vitt, 2023. "Early life exposure to measles and later-life outcomes: Evidence from the introduction of a vaccine," Papers 2301.10558, arXiv.org.
    2. Rita Dias Pereira & Pietro Biroli & Titus Galama & Stephanie von Hinke & Hans van Kippersluis & Cornelius A. Rietveld & Kevin Thom, 2022. "Gene-Environment Interplay in the Social Sciences," Papers 2203.02198, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2022.

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    JEL classification:

    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models

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