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Effects of Early Childhood Exposure to Ambient Lead and Particulate Matter on Adult Personality

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  • Fraas, Arthur G.

    (Resources for the Future)

  • Lutter, Randall
  • Murphy, Joshua
  • Xiahou, Qinrui

    (Resources for the Future)

  • Potter, Jeff
  • Gosling, Samuel D.

Abstract

To assess how early-life exposure to air pollution affects adult personality, we use new annual lead (Pb) vehicle emissions data by county, for 1969 to 1981, and “Big Five” personality data for 130,000 adults. Models with county and cohort fixed effects show higher Pb exposure during the first five years of life lowers agreeableness and increases openness. Weaker evidence suggests Pb lowers conscientiousness and increases neuroticism but it has no effect on extraversion. We also assess how regulation-induced cuts in total suspended particulates (TSP) levels affect adult personality. We are unable to disentangle early life effects of Pb and TSP.

Suggested Citation

  • Fraas, Arthur G. & Lutter, Randall & Murphy, Joshua & Xiahou, Qinrui & Potter, Jeff & Gosling, Samuel D., 2023. "Effects of Early Childhood Exposure to Ambient Lead and Particulate Matter on Adult Personality," RFF Working Paper Series 23-17, Resources for the Future.
    • Handle: RePEc:rff:dpaper:dp-23-17
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    File URL: https://www.rff.org/documents/4336/WP_23-17_with_Appendices.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lin, Dajun & Lutter, Randall & Ruhm, Christopher J., 2018. "Cognitive performance and labour market outcomes," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 121-135.
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    3. Kenneth Y. Chay & Michael Greenstone, 2005. "Does Air Quality Matter? Evidence from the Housing Market," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 113(2), pages 376-424, April.
    4. Maria Cubel & Ana Nuevo‐Chiquero & Santiago Sanchez‐Pages & Marian Vidal‐Fernandez, 2016. "Do Personality Traits Affect Productivity? Evidence from the Laboratory," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 0(592), pages 654-681, May.
    5. Kenneth Y. Chay & Michael Greenstone, 2003. "Air Quality, Infant Mortality, and the Clean Air Act of 1970," Working Papers 0406, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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