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No pain, no gain? Mining pollution and morbidity

Author

Listed:
  • Syed Hasan

    (School of Economics and Finance, Massey University, Palmerston North)

  • Odmaa Narantungalag,

    (School of Economics and Finance, Massey University, Palmerston North)

  • Martin Berka

    (School of Economics and Finance, Massey University, Palmerston North)

Abstract

We investigate the impact of mining pollution on the likelihood of reporting illness by linking geocoded soil pollution information with five rounds of Mongolian Household Socio-Economic Survey data. Using perceived property rent as an instrument, our probit regression results indicate that doubling the distance between a person’s residence and nearest mine reduces their probability of feeling unwell by around 7.4 percentage points on average. Individuals also increase their medical expenditure as a result of increased illness. We observe mining pollution to disproportionately hurt younger children. Artisanal and small-scale mines have stronger effects on human health than medium and large-scale mines. Gold mines were observed to be worst, compared to the mines extracting other types of minerals. Our findings suggest that environmental regulations to control/mitigate mining pollution can reduce short- to long-term health risks of the people living near mines.

Suggested Citation

  • Syed Hasan & Odmaa Narantungalag, & Martin Berka, 2022. "No pain, no gain? Mining pollution and morbidity," Discussion Papers 2203, School of Economics and Finance, Massey University, New Zealand.
    • Handle: RePEc:mas:dpaper:2203
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mining pollution; Health; Development; Mongolia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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