School bus emissions, student health and academic performance

B-Tier
Journal: Economics of Education Review
Year: 2019
Volume: 70
Issue: C
Pages: 109-126

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

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

Abstract

Diesel emissions from school buses expose children to high levels of air pollution; retrofitting bus engines can substantially reduce this exposure. Using variation from 2656 retrofits across Georgia, we estimate effects of emissions reductions on district-level health and academic achievement. We demonstrate positive effects on respiratory health, measured by a statewide test of aerobic capacity. Placebo tests on body mass index show no impact. We also find that retrofitting districts experience significant test score gains in English and smaller gains in math. Our results suggest that engine retrofits can have meaningful and cost-effective impacts on health and cognitive functioning.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:ecoedu:v:70:y:2019:i:c:p:109-126
Journal Field
Education
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25