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Particulate pollution and learning

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  • Pham, Linh
  • Roach, Travis

Abstract

Exposure to PM2.5 pollution is detrimental to health and cognitive function, and at early ages, inhibits learning. Using standardized achievement data at the school-district-grade level for 3rd- through 8th-grade students for the entire United States from 2009–2016, we show that variation in ambient PM2.5 concentrations and particularly polluted days reduce student learning. For a school district at the 90th percentile of PM2.5 concentrations we find an approximate 7.5% of a standard deviation reduction in achievement due to pollution. We further find that cumulative and year-round exposure matters in determining the full effect of PM2.5 on student learning, and that younger students in particular are harmed. Our results provide external validity to the received literature that has been limited in its geographic scope.

Suggested Citation

  • Pham, Linh & Roach, Travis, 2023. "Particulate pollution and learning," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:92:y:2023:i:c:s0272775722001170
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2022.102344
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    Cited by:

    1. Gilraine, Michael & Zheng, Angela, 2024. "JUE insight: Air pollution and student performance in the U.S," Journal of Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    2. Linh Pham & Travis Roach, 2024. "Spillover benefits of carbon dioxide cap and trade: Evidence from the Toxics Release Inventory," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 62(1), pages 449-467, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    PM2.5; Human capital development;

    JEL classification:

    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • L94 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Electric Utilities
    • Q48 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Government Policy
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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