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Garbage in, garbage out: the impact of e-waste dumping sites on early child health

Author

Listed:
  • Stefania Lovo

    (Department of Economics, University of Reading)

  • Samantha Rawlings

    (Department of Economics, University of Reading)

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of e-waste dumping sites on early child health. We focus on two major dumping sites in West Africa, in Ghana and Nigeria. We observe children born before and after the creation of these dumps, and estimate a difference-in-difference specification in which we compare outcomes of those born within the vicinity of the dump (within 11km) to those further away, before and after e-waste sites are created. We find that the e-waste sites increase neonatal and infant mortality by 4.5 and 6.5 percentage points, respectively, for children living in the proximity of the site. Event study analysis suggests that the negative effects emerge 2-3 years after the existence of the site, consistent with the gradual and systematic build up on contaminants in the environment. Preliminary analysis considering routes of exposure suggests that water pollution may drive some of the observed effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefania Lovo & Samantha Rawlings, 2021. "Garbage in, garbage out: the impact of e-waste dumping sites on early child health," Economics Discussion Papers em-dp2021-07, Department of Economics, University of Reading.
    • Handle: RePEc:rdg:emxxdp:em-dp2021-07
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    File URL: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/files/economics/emdp202107.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    E-waste; Health; Infant Mortality; Dumping Sites;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • 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
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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