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Avoidable environmental disasters and infant health: Evidence from a mining dam collapse in Brazil

Author

Listed:
  • Bladimir Carrillo
  • Daniel Da Mata
  • Lucas Emanuel
  • Daniel Lopes
  • Breno Sampaio

Abstract

We study the health consequences of one of the largest environmental disasters of the world mining industry, which largely stemmed from regulatory failure. Exploiting the timing and location of the Mariana mine tailings dam collapse in Brazil, we show that in utero exposure to the tragedy significantly reduced birth weight and increased infant mortality. The adverse effects were stronger for infants born to less educated and single mothers. These findings indicate that poorly enforced environmental regulation may have long-term welfare impacts on local communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Bladimir Carrillo & Daniel Da Mata & Lucas Emanuel & Daniel Lopes & Breno Sampaio, 2019. "Avoidable environmental disasters and infant health: Evidence from a mining dam collapse in Brazil," Documentos de Trabajo 17698, The Latin American and Caribbean Economic Association (LACEA).
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000518:017698
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. Chris Sampson’s journal round-up for 7th December 2020
      by Chris Sampson in The Academic Health Economists' Blog on 2020-12-07 12:00:03

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    Cited by:

    1. Monteiro, Thiago Vinícius Alves & Matlaba, Valente José & Moia, Gabriel Costa Maciel & dos Santos, Jorge Filipe, 2026. "Effects of the Fundão Dam break on the performance of socioeconomic indicators in Mariana municipality, Minas Gerais State," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C).
    2. Da Mata, Daniel & Drugowick, Pedro, 2024. "The consequences of health mandates on infant health: Evidence from a smoking-ban regulation," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    3. Thiago Christiano Silva & Fabiano José Muniz & Benjamin Miranda Tabak, 2023. "The Impact of Government Disaster Surveillance and Alerts on Local Economic and Financial Conditions," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 84(2), pages 559-591, February.
    4. Victor Hugo de Oliveira & Ines Lee & Climent Quintana-Domeque, 2023. "Natural Disasters and Early Human Development: Hurricane Catarina and Infant Health in Brazil," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 58(3), pages 819-851.
    5. Aguero, Jorge M. & Ukil, Patralekha, 2025. "The (birthweight) gains from trade: Chinese imports and infant health in Sub-Saharan Africa," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    6. Viviane Sanfelice, 2022. "Mosquito‐borne disease and newborn health," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(1), pages 73-93, January.
    7. Da Mata, Daniel & Emanuel, Lucas & Pereira, Vitor & Sampaio, Breno, 2023. "Climate adaptation policies and infant health: Evidence from a water policy in Brazil," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    8. Thais Waideman Niquito & Fernando Pozzobon & Vinícius Halmenschlager & Felipe Garcia Ribeiro, 2021. "Human-made disasters and economic impact for a developing economy: evidence from Brazil," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 109(3), pages 2313-2341, December.
    9. Jayash Paudel, 2023. "Challenges in water and sanitation services: Do natural disasters make matters worse?," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(4), pages 2565-2582, November.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General

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