From Fog to Smog: The Value of Pollution Informations

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Barwick, Panle Jia; Li, Shanjun; Lin, Liguo; Zou, Eric Yongchen
• 署名单位: University of Wisconsin System; University of Wisconsin Madison; National Bureau of Economic Research; National Bureau of Economic Research; Cornell University; Shanghai University of Finance & Economics; University of Michigan System; University of Michigan
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0002-8282
• DOI: 10.1257/aer.20200956
• 发表日期: 2024
• 页码: 1338-1381
• 关键词: air-pollution; environmental-regulations; productivity evidence; WEATHER INFORMATION; natural experiment; infant-mortality; CHINA; QUALITY; HEALTH; demand

摘要

In 2013 , China launched a landmark program to monitor air quality and disclose real-time data , significantly increasing the public's access to and awareness of pollution information. The program triggered cascading behavioral changes such as stronger avoidance of outdoor pollution exposure and increased spending on protective products. These behavioral responses mitigated the mortality impact of air pollution. Conservative estimates indicate that the program's health benefits outweigh the costs by an order of magnitude. The findings highlight the benefits of improving public access to pollution information in developing countries which often experience severe air but lack data collection and dissemination.