The fallout of nitrogen pollution isconsidered one of the largest global externalities facingthe world, impacting air, water soil and human health. Thispaper presents new evidence that nitrogen pollution in wateris an important determinant of variations in human capital.Data from the Demographic and Health Survey dataset acrossIndia, Vietnam, and 33 African countries are combined toanalyze the causal links between pollution exposureexperienced during the very earliest stages of life andlater-life health. Results show that pollution exposureexperienced in the critical years of development from theperiod of birth up until year three – is associated withdecreased height as an adult, a well-known indicator ofoverall health and productivity, and is robust to severalstatistical checks. Because adult height is related toeducation, labor productivity, and income, this also impliesa loss of earning potential. Results are consistent and showthat early-life exposure to nitrogen pollution in water canlower height-for-age scores during childhood in Vietnam andduring infancy in Africa. These findings add to the evidenceon the enduring consequences of water pollution and identifya critical area for policy intervention.
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