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Heads Up: Does Air Pollution Cause Workplace Accidents?

Author

Listed:
  • Victor Lavy
  • Genia Rachkovski
  • Omry Yoresh

Abstract

Air pollution can adversely affect physiological and cognitive performance. This study estimates the causal effect of increased nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a primary air pollutant, on construction work accidents, a significant factor related to labor market productivity losses. Using data from all construction sites and pollution monitoring stations in Israel, we find a strong and significant effect on accidents, with a 377% (138%) increase on high (moderate) NO2 pollution days compared to clean air levels. Our mechanism analysis suggests the effect is exacerbated under cognitive strain or worker fatigue. A cost-benefit analysis, supported by a nonparametric estimation, examines subsidizing site closures on highly polluted days.

Suggested Citation

  • Victor Lavy & Genia Rachkovski & Omry Yoresh, 2022. "Heads Up: Does Air Pollution Cause Workplace Accidents?," NBER Working Papers 30715, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30715
    Note: DEV EEE EH LS
    as

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    File URL: http://www.nber.org/papers/w30715.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Katharina Drescher & Benedikt Janzen, 2023. "When Weather Wounds Workers: The Impact of Temperature on Workplace Accidents," Working Papers 226, Bavarian Graduate Program in Economics (BGPE).
    2. Gabriele Curci & Domenico Depalo & Alessandro Palma, 2023. "The Dirtier You Breathe, The Less Safe You Are. The Effect of Air Pollution on Work Accidents," CEIS Research Paper 554, Tor Vergata University, CEIS, revised 24 May 2023.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q52 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Pollution Control Adoption and Costs; Distributional Effects; Employment Effects
    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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