Severe Air Pollution and Labor Productivity: Evidence from Industrial Towns in China

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
Year: 2019
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
Pages: 173-201

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We examine day-to-day fluctuations in worker-level output at two manufacturing sites in China. Ambient fine-particle (PM2.5) pollution is severe but significantly variable, largely due to exogenous atmospheric ventilation. We obtain an insignificant immediate output response from concurrent (same-shift) variation in particle pollution. We then allow worker outcomes to respond to day-to-day variation in pollution with up to 30 days of delay. We uncover statistically significant adverse output effects from more prolonged exposure, but effects are not large. A substantial +10 μg/m3 PM2.5 variation sustained over 25 days reduces daily output by 1%.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejapp:v:11:y:2019:i:1:p:173-201
Journal Field
General
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25