Testing the Water: Drinking Water Quality, Public Notification, and Child Outcomes

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Marcus, Michelle
• 署名单位: Vanderbilt University
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF ECONOMICS AND STATISTICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0034-6535
• DOI: 10.1162/rest_a_01006
• 发表日期: 2022-11
• 页码: 1289-1303
• 关键词: avoidance-behavior evidence; school absenteeism; air-pollution; HEALTH; disclosure; INFORMATION; education

摘要

Health-based drinking water violations affect about one in twelve Americans annually, yet the benefits of drinking water regulation are not well understood. I exploit plausibly exogenous variation in water quality violation timing to estimate the impacts on avoidance behavior and child outcomes. Using purchases of bottled water and common stomach remedies, emergency room visits for gastrointestinal illness, and school absences, I provide a comprehensive calculation of costs associated with poor drinking water quality. Individuals avoid the negative health impacts of coliform bacteria violations only when informed immediately. Timely public notification is a cost-effective way to induce avoidance behavior and protect health.