RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Air Filters, Pollution, and Student Achievement
JF Journal of Human Resources
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 1469
OP 1506
DO 10.3368/jhr.0421-11642R2
VO 60
IS 5
A1 Gilraine, Michael
YR 2025
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/60/5/1469.abstract
AB This work identifies the impact of installing air filters in classrooms for the first time. To do so, I leverage a unique setting arising from the largest gas leak in U.S. history, whereby the offending gas company installed air filters in every classroom within five miles of the leak (but not beyond). Using a spatial regression discontinuity design, I find substantial improvements in student performance: air filters raised test scores by 0.1–0.2σ. Natural gas was not detected inside schools, implying that the filters improved air quality by removing common pollutants. Thus, these results should extend to other settings.