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The Impact of Lead Exposure on Fertility, Infant Mortality, and Infant Birth Outcomes

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  • Karen Clay
  • Alex Hollingsworth
  • Edson Severnini

Abstract

This article reviews the quasi-experimental literature on lead and fertility, lead and infant mortality, and lead and infant birth outcomes. It then discusses the relevance of these studies for policy. In contrast to the large amount of literature on children’s blood lead levels and health and development outcomes, there are fewer studies on lead and fertility, lead and infant mortality, and lead and infant health, despite their social and economic importance. Although removal of lead in gasoline generated enormous public health benefits, lead exposure remains significant in both developed and developing countries. Thus, causal estimates from quasi-experimental studies of the relationships between lead and fertility, lead and infant mortality, and lead and infant health are critical for policy. Specifically, they can be used to generate estimates of benefits used in regulatory benefit–cost analyses.

Suggested Citation

  • Karen Clay & Alex Hollingsworth & Edson Severnini, 2024. "The Impact of Lead Exposure on Fertility, Infant Mortality, and Infant Birth Outcomes," Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 18(2), pages 301-320.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:renvpo:doi:10.1086/730854
    DOI: 10.1086/730854
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    1. Kenneth Y. Chay & Michael Greenstone, 2003. "The Impact of Air Pollution on Infant Mortality: Evidence from Geographic Variation in Pollution Shocks Induced by a Recession," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 118(3), pages 1121-1167.
    2. Karen Clay & Margarita Portnykh & Edson Severnini, 2021. "Toxic Truth: Lead and Fertility," Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, University of Chicago Press, vol. 8(5), pages 975-1012.
    3. Raj Chetty & John N. Friedman & Jonah E. Rockoff, 2014. "Measuring the Impacts of Teachers II: Teacher Value-Added and Student Outcomes in Adulthood," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 104(9), pages 2633-2679, September.
    4. Anna Aizer & Janet Currie & Peter Simon & Patrick Vivier, 2018. "Do Low Levels of Blood Lead Reduce Children's Future Test Scores?," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 10(1), pages 307-341, January.
    5. Olivier Deschênes & Michael Greenstone & Joseph S. Shapiro, 2017. "Defensive Investments and the Demand for Air Quality: Evidence from the NOx Budget Program," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 107(10), pages 2958-2989, October.
    6. Dave, Dhaval M. & Yang, Muzhe, 2022. "Lead in drinking water and birth outcomes: A tale of two water treatment plants," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    7. Anna Aizer & Janet Currie, 2019. "Lead and Juvenile Delinquency: New Evidence from Linked Birth, School, and Juvenile Detention Records," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 101(4), pages 575-587, October.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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