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Details

Research article
Authors

Currie J, Hanushek EA, Kahn EM, Neidell M, and Rivkin SG

Journal

The Review of Economics and Statistics

Summary
The authors examined the effects of carbon monoxide (CO), ozone, and particulate matter concentrations on school absences from 1996-2001 in 39 of the largest school districts in Texas. They found that high CO levels, even when below regulatory thresholds set by the EPA, significantly increased absences. In highly polluted areas, reductions in the number of days with high CO concentrations reduced absences by 0.8 percentage points. Results suggest that lowering CO levels may yield economically significant health benefits.
Population

School children (1st through 8th grade)

Health Outcomes

  • Not available

Health Outcome List:

  • Not available

Environmental Agents

List of Environmental Agents:

  • Air pollutants (carbon monoxide (CO)), Ozone (O3), Particulate matter (PM10/coarse))

Source of Environmental Agents:

  • Not available

Economic Evaluation / Methods and Source

Type:

  • Cost analysis (CA)

Cost Measures:

  • Missed school days

Potential Cost Measures:

  • Not available

Benefits Measures:

  • Not available

Potential Benefits Measures:

  • Not available

Location:

  • 39 of the largest school districts in Texas

Models Used:

  • Not available

Models References:

  • Not available

Methods Used:

  • The authors examined the effects of air pollution on school absences in 39 of the largest school districts in Texas. The authors — 1) merged administrative school-level panel data with pollution monitor data; 2) employed in a difference-in-difference-in differences (DDD) which held school, year, and attendance period characteristics constant and also controlled for precipitation and temperature; and 3) compared DDD results to ordinary least squares estimates.

Sources Used:

  • School absence data for 1996-2001 (The Texas Schools Project, University of Texas, Dallas); air pollution data from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) monitors; additional sources cited in publication

Economic Citation / Fundings

Citation:

  • Currie J, Hanushek EA, Kahn EM, Neidell M, and Rivkin SG. Does pollution increase school absences?. The Review of Economics and Statistics. 2009. 91; 4.
  • DOI

NIEHS Funding:

  • Not available

Other Funding:

  • Not available