Unwatched Pollution: The Effect of Intermittent Monitoring on Air Quality

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Zou, Eric Yongchen
• 署名单位: University of Oregon; National Bureau of Economic Research
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0002-8282
• DOI: 10.1257/aer.20181346
• 发表日期: 2021
• 页码: 2101-2126
• 关键词: emissions; aerosol; regulations; INFORMATION

摘要

Intermittent monitoring of environmental standards may induce strategic changes in polluting activities. This paper documents local strategic responses to a cyclical, once-every-six-day air quality monitoring schedule under the federal Clean Air Act. Using satellite data of monitored areas, I show that air quality is significantly worse on unmonitored days. This effect is explained by short-term suppression of pollution on monitored days, especially during high-pollution periods when the city's noncompliance risk is high. Cities' use of air quality warnings increases on monitored days, which suggests local governments'role in coordinating emission reductions.