RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Persistent Effects of Early-Life Exposure to Air Pollution: Evidence from the Indonesian Forest Fires
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 0117-8497R1
DO 10.3368/jhr.54.4.0117.8497R1
A1 Rosales-Rueda, Maria
A1 Triyana, Margaret
YR 2018
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2018/04/02/jhr.54.4.0117.8497R1.abstract
AB We analyze the effects of early-life exposure to air pollution in a developing country on children’s long-term human capital outcomes. We exploit the geographical variation of the 1997 Indonesian forest fires and cohort variation in exposure as a natural experiment. Children exposed to the fires are shorter on average three years post-exposure and have lower lung capacity 10 years post-exposure, but only children who were exposed in-utero continue to exhibit shorter stature at 10 and 17 years post-exposure. We find suggestive evidence that these persistent effects may be due to expectant mothers experiencing poorer respiratory health during the fires.