Do Low Levels of Blood Lead Reduce Children's Future Test Scores?

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Aizer, Anna; Currie, Janet; Simon, Peter; Vivier, Patrick
• 署名单位: Brown University; Princeton University; Brown University; Brown University
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-APPLIED ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7782
• DOI: 10.1257/app.20160404
• 发表日期: 2018
• 页码: 307-341
• 关键词: academic-achievement; us children; exposure; intelligence; prevention; neurotoxicity; epidemiology; HEALTH; TRENDS; POLICY

摘要

We construct a unique individual-level dataset linking preschool blood lead levels with third grade test scores for Rhode Island children born 1997-2005. Using two identification strategies, we show for the first time that reductions of lead from even historically low levels have significant positive effects. A one-unit decrease in average blood lead levels reduces the probability of being substantially below proficient in reading (math) by 0.96 (0.79) percentage points on a baseline of 12 (16) percent. Since disadvantaged children have greater exposure to lead, lead poisoning may be one of the causes of continuing disparities in test scores.