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IEE Seminar - Pollution and Mortality in the United States: Evidence from 1972-1988

28 Mar 2022

Pollution and Mortality in the United States: Evidence from 1972-1988

We are very pleased to welcome Prof. Tatyana DERYUGINA, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA: 
Pollution and Mortality in the United States: Evidence from 1972-1988
(Jointly with Julian Reif)
 
Abstract
 
We estimate the effects of sulfur dioxide (SO2) exposure on short- and long-run mortality in the US over the period 1972-1988. Using wind direction as an instrument for changes in daily SO2 levels, we estimate that a one-day, one part-per-billion increase in SO2 raises all-age mortality by 0.18 deaths per million over the next four weeks. This immediate mortality increase is concentrated among the elderly. We then calibrate a dynamic production model of health using our short-run estimates. The model suggests that the 1972-1988 reductions in SO2 can explain a meaningful share of the observed mortality decline over this time period.
 
For those of you who are unable to attend in person, there will also be the option to follow the seminar on Zoom, but please use this option only if you cannot come:
https://unige.zoom.us/j/92174058964
Meeting ID: 921 7405 8964
Password: M3250