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Identifying the Cost of a Public Health Success: Arsenic Well Water Contamination and Productivity in Bangladesh

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  • Mark M. Pitt
  • Mark R. Rosenzweig
  • Nazmul Hassan

Abstract

We exploit recent molecular genetics evidence on the genetic basis of arsenic excretion and unique information on family links among respondents living in different environments from a large panel survey within a theoretical framework incorporating optimizing behavior to uncover the hidden costs of arsenic poisoning in Bangladesh. We provide for the first time estimates of the effects of the ingestion and retention of inorganic arsenic on direct measures of cognitive and physical capabilities as well as on the schooling attainment, occupational structure, entrepreneurship and incomes of the rural Bangladesh population. We also provide new estimates of the effects of the consumption of foods grown and cooked in arsenic-contaminated water on individual arsenic concentrations. The estimates are based on arsenic biomarkers obtained from a sample of members of rural households in Bangladesh who are participants in a long-term panel survey following respondents and their coresident household members over a period of 26 years.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark M. Pitt & Mark R. Rosenzweig & Nazmul Hassan, 2015. "Identifying the Cost of a Public Health Success: Arsenic Well Water Contamination and Productivity in Bangladesh," NBER Working Papers 21741, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:21741
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. A. G. Williams & M. P. Rayson & M. Jubb & M. World & D. R. Woods & M. Hayward & J. Martin & S. E. Humphries & H. E. Montgomery, 2000. "The ACE gene and muscle performance," Nature, Nature, vol. 403(6770), pages 614-614, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Barnwal, Prabhat & van Geen, Alexander & von der Goltz, Jan & Singh, Chander Kumar, 2017. "Demand for environmental quality information and household response: Evidence from well-water arsenic testing," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 160-192.
    2. Aggarwal, Khushboo & Barua, Rashmi & Vidal-Fernandez, Marian, 2024. "Still Waters Run Deep: Groundwater Contamination and Education Outcomes in India," IZA Discussion Papers 16863, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Chowdhury, Shyamal & Singh, Prachi, 2023. "Information Campaign on Arsenic Poisoning: Unintended Consequences in Marriage Market," IZA Discussion Papers 16214, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Ricardo Maertens & Alessandro Tarozzi & Kazi Matin Ahmed & Alexander van Geen, 2018. "Demand for Information on Environmental Health Risk, Mode of Delivery, and Behavioral Change: Evidence from Sonargaon, Bangladesh," Working Papers id:12934, eSocialSciences.
    5. Alessandro Tarozzi & Ricardo Maertens & Kazi Matin Ahmed & Alexander van Geen, 2021. "Demand for Information on Environmental Health Risk, Mode of Delivery, and Behavioral Change: Evidence from Sonargaon, Bangladesh," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 35(3), pages 764-792.
    6. Thakur, Barun Kumar & Gupta, Vijaya, 2019. "Valuing health damages due to groundwater arsenic contamination in Bihar, India," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 123-132.

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    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development

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