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Seasonal Allergies and Accidents

Author

Listed:
  • Hitoshi Shigeoka
  • Mika Akesaka

Abstract

Seasonal allergies affect over 400 million people globally, yet the broader economic consequences of pollen exposure remain understudied. Evidence from Japan's ambulance records suggests that high-pollen days are associated with increases in accidents, including traffic accidents and work-related injuries, which may reflect impaired cognitive performance. Retail scanner data and cellphone mobility records indicate that individuals already engage in avoidance behaviors, such as purchasing allergy products and limiting outdoor activities on weekends. This suggests that relying on individual self-protection may be insufficient to offset these risks, and thus greater government intervention may be warranted to mitigate pollen-related harm.

Suggested Citation

  • Hitoshi Shigeoka & Mika Akesaka, 2026. "Seasonal Allergies and Accidents," RFBerlin Discussion Paper Series 26007, ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin (RFBerlin).
    • Handle: RePEc:crm:wpaper:26007
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    File URL: https://www.rfberlin.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/26007.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • 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
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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