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Research ArticleArticles

The child health impacts of coal

Evidence from India’s coal expansion

Sangita Vyas
Published online before print August 11, 2023, 0320-10784R2; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0320-10784R2
Sangita Vyas
Sangita Vyas is an Assistant Professor of Economics at CUNY Hunter College, an affiliate of the CUNY Institute for Demographic Research, and an affiliate of the Population Wellbeing Initiative at the University of Texas at Austin. .
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Abstract

What are the health and human capital consequences of the developing world’s coal power expansion? Using variation in coal plant capacity within place across cohorts in India, a large coal consumer, I find that children born exposed to a median-sized coal plant are 0.1 standard deviations shorter than unexposed children. Supporting air pollution as a channel, effects are larger among children living closer to coal plants. Changes in coal capacity do not predict changes in other local socio-economic factors, demographics, employment, or infrastructure. Effects are similar by socioeconomic status, but richer households live closer to coal plants.

Keywords:
  • coal
  • electricity
  • India
  • child height
JEL Classification:
  • I15
  • Q53
  • Q56

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Journal of Human Resources: 60 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 60, Issue 3
1 May 2025
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The child health impacts of coal
Sangita Vyas
Journal of Human Resources Aug 2023, 0320-10784R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.0320-10784R2

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The child health impacts of coal
Sangita Vyas
Journal of Human Resources Aug 2023, 0320-10784R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.0320-10784R2
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Keywords

  • coal
  • electricity
  • India
  • child height
  • I15
  • Q53
  • Q56
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