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Do Wind Turbines Have Adverse Health Impacts?

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  • Krekel, Christian

    (London School of Economics)

  • Rode, Johannes

    (Darmstadt University of Technology)

  • Roth, Alexander

    (DIW Berlin)

Abstract

While wind power is considered key in the transition towards net zero, there are concerns about adverse health impacts on nearby residents. Based on precise geographical coordinates, we link a representative longitudinal household panel to all wind turbines in Germany and exploit their staggered rollout over two decades for identification. We do not find evidence of negative effects on general, mental, or physical health in the 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF- 12), nor on self-assessed health or doctor visits. We also do not find evidence for effects on suicides, an extreme measure of negative mental health outcomes, at the county level.

Suggested Citation

  • Krekel, Christian & Rode, Johannes & Roth, Alexander, 2023. "Do Wind Turbines Have Adverse Health Impacts?," IZA Discussion Papers 16505, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16505
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    wind turbines; externalities; health; renewable energy; difference-in-differences; event study;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • Q20 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - General
    • Q42 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Alternative Energy Sources
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General

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