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Air Pollution and Cognitive Functions: Evidence from Straw Burning in China

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  • Wangyang Lai
  • Shanjun Li
  • Yanan Li
  • Xiaohui Tian

Abstract

This study examines the impact of air pollution from straw burning on human cognitive health in China by linking household health surveys with PM2.5 emissions derived from remote sensing data on fire activity. The identification strategy leverages the spatial dispersion of air pollutants due to exogenous wind directions. The results indicate that PM2.5 emissions from upwind straw burning have a negative impact on cognitive functions of respondents aged 55 and above, but PM2.5 emissions from downwind fires do not. The impact is transitory and caused by contemporaneous PM2.5 emissions on the day of cognitive testing. Our findings demonstrate a link from air pollution to cognitive declines and suggest that through this link, climate change could result in additional health costs by increasing the risk of wildfires.

Suggested Citation

  • Wangyang Lai & Shanjun Li & Yanan Li & Xiaohui Tian, 2022. "Air Pollution and Cognitive Functions: Evidence from Straw Burning in China," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 104(1), pages 190-208, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:ajagec:v:104:y:2022:i:1:p:190-208
    DOI: 10.1111/ajae.12225
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    Cited by:

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    2. Paudel, Jayash, 2023. "Do environmental disasters affect human capital? The threat of forest fires," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    3. Li, Zheng & Jin, Bohan, 2024. "A breath of fresh air: Coal power plant closures and health in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    4. Hui Deng & Rui Du & Dongmei Guo & Weizeng Sun & Yuhuan Xia, 2023. "High‐stakes examinations and educational inequality: Evidence from transitory exposure to air pollution," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 61(3), pages 546-571, July.
    5. Ayesh, Abubakr, 2023. "Burned agricultural biomass, air pollution and crime," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    6. Derek Sheehan & Katrina Mullan & Thales A. P. West & Erin O. Semmens, 2024. "Protecting Life and Lung: Protected Areas Affect Fine Particulate Matter and Respiratory Hospitalizations in the Brazilian Amazon Biome," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 87(1), pages 45-87, January.
    7. Lohmann, Paul M. & Gsottbauer, Elisabeth & You, Jing & Kontoleon, Andreas, 2023. "Air pollution and anti-social behaviour: Evidence from a randomised lab-in-the-field experiment," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).
    8. Jian Chen & Xiaohui Tian & Jialing Yu, 2024. "How a price‐support policy can hurt the environment: Empirical evidence from Northeast China," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 72(2), pages 131-148, June.
    9. Ron Chan & Martino Pelli & Veronica Vienne, 2023. "Air Pollution, Smoky Days and Hours Worked," CIRANO Working Papers 2023s-15, CIRANO.
    10. Xianru Han & Wenying Li & Haoluan Wang, 2024. "A Burning Issue: Wildfire Smoke Exposure, Retail Sales, and Demand for Adaptation in Healthcare," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 87(11), pages 3011-3039, November.
    11. Ferguson, Joel D. & Govaerts, Bram, 2024. "Economic and Environmental Impacts of Sustainable Agriculture in Practice and at Scale: Evidence from Mexico," 2024 Annual Meeting, July 28-30, New Orleans, LA 343753, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.

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