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The Spillover Effects of Pollution: How Exposure to Lead Affects Everyone in the Classroom

Author

Listed:
  • Gazze, Ludovica

    (University of Warwick)

  • Persico, Claudia L.

    (American University)

  • Spirovska, Sandra

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Abstract

Evidence shows that lead-exposed children are more disruptive and have lower achievement. However, we know less about how lead-exposed children affect the learning environment of their classroom peers. We estimate these spillover effects using new data on children's blood lead levels (BLLs) matched to all education data in North Carolina. We compare siblings who attend the same school, but whose school-grade cohorts differ in the proportion of children with elevated BLLs. We find that having more lead-exposed peers is associated with lower test scores and graduation rates, increased suspensions and dropping out of school, and a decrease in college intentions.

Suggested Citation

  • Gazze, Ludovica & Persico, Claudia L. & Spirovska, Sandra, 2020. "The Spillover Effects of Pollution: How Exposure to Lead Affects Everyone in the Classroom," IZA Discussion Papers 13133, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp13133
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Alex Hollingsworth & Mike Huang & Ivan J. Rudik & Nicholas J. Sanders, 2020. "A Thousand Cuts: Cumulative Lead Exposure Reduces Academic Achievement," NBER Working Papers 28250, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Zhou, Weina & Wang, Shun, 2023. "Early childhood health shocks, classroom environment, and social-emotional outcomes," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    health; education; pollution; peers;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality

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