The Spillover Effects of Pollution: How Exposure to Lead Affects Everyone in the Classroom

52 Pages Posted: 13 Apr 2020

See all articles by Ludovica Gazze

Ludovica Gazze

University of Warwick

Claudia Persico

American University

Sandra Spirovska

Federal Reserve Banks - Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Research Assistant

Abstract

Evidence shows that lead-exposed children are more disruptive and have lower achievement. However, we know less about how lead-exposed children affect the learning environment of their classroom peers. We estimate these spillover effects using new data on children's blood lead levels (BLLs) matched to all education data in North Carolina. We compare siblings who attend the same school, but whose school-grade cohorts differ in the proportion of children with elevated BLLs. We find that having more lead-exposed peers is associated with lower test scores and graduation rates, increased suspensions and dropping out of school, and a decrease in college intentions.

Keywords: pollution, education, health, peers

JEL Classification: Q53, I24, I14

Suggested Citation

Gazze, Ludovica and Persico, Claudia and Spirovska, Sandra, The Spillover Effects of Pollution: How Exposure to Lead Affects Everyone in the Classroom. IZA Discussion Paper No. 13133, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3573303 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3573303

Ludovica Gazze (Contact Author)

University of Warwick ( email )

Gibbet Hill Rd.
Coventry, West Midlands CV4 8UW
United Kingdom

Claudia Persico

American University ( email )

School of Public Affairs
Kerwin Hall, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States

Sandra Spirovska

Federal Reserve Banks - Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Research Assistant ( email )

600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
United States

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