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The Persistent Effects of Early-Life Exposure to Air Pollution: Evidence from the Indonesian Forest Fires

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Rosales-Rueda
  • Margaret Triyana

Abstract

We analyze the effects of early-life exposure to air pollution in a developing country on children’s long-term human capital outcomes. We exploit the geographical variation of the 1997 Indonesian forest fires and cohort variation in exposure as a natural experiment. Children exposed to the fires are shorter on average three years post-exposure and have lower lung capacity 10 years post-exposure, but only children who were exposed in-utero continue to exhibit shorter stature at 10 and 17 years post-exposure. We find suggestive evidence that these persistent effects may be due to expectant mothers experiencing poorer respiratory health during the fires.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Rosales-Rueda & Margaret Triyana, 2019. "The Persistent Effects of Early-Life Exposure to Air Pollution: Evidence from the Indonesian Forest Fires," Working Papers Rutgers University, Newark 2019-002, Department of Economics, Rutgers University, Newark.
    • Handle: RePEc:run:wpaper:2019-002
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    File URL: https://sasn.rutgers.edu/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/inline-files/Indo_fires-JHR_Preprint_Feb2018.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Paudel, Jayash, 2023. "Do environmental disasters affect human capital? The threat of forest fires," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    2. 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.
    3. Mehic, Adrian, 2023. "The electoral consequences of environmental accidents: Evidence from Chernobyl," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).
    4. Guimbeau, Amanda & Ji, Xinde James & Long, Zi & Menon, Nidhiya, 2024. "Ocean salinity, early-life health, and adaptation," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 125(C).
    5. Arrizaga, Rubí & Clarke, Damian & Cubillos, Pedro P. & Ruiz-Tagle V., Cristóbal, 2023. "Wildfires and Human Health: Evidence from 15 Wildfire Seasons in Chile," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 12954, Inter-American Development Bank.
    6. Chen, Yulong, 2024. "Early exposure to air pollution and cognitive development later in life: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    natural disasters; air pollution; long-term effects; fetal origins; Indonesia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • 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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