The Nitrogen Legacy : The Long-Term Effects of Water Pollution on Human Capital

Zaveri, Esha ; Russ, Jason ; Desbureaux, Sebastien ; Damania, Richard ; Rodella, Aude-Sophie ; Ribeiro, Giovanna

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: WATER POLLUTION;    HUMAN CAPITAL;    STAGES OF LIFE;    DRINKING WATER;    HEALTH;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-9143
RP-ID  :  WPS9143

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

The fallout of nitrogen pollution isconsidered one of the largest global externalities facingthe world, impacting air, water, soil, and human health.This paper combines data from the Demographic and HealthSurvey data set across India, Vietnam, and 33 Africancountries to analyze the causal links between pollutionexposure experienced during the very earliest stages of lifeand later-life health. The results show that pollutionexposure experienced in the critical years ofdevelopment—from birth until age 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. The analysis begins within anassessment in India, where the data are more available, andis then extended to geographic settings including Vietnamand 33 countries in Africa. The results are consistent andshow that early-life exposure to nitrogen pollution in watercan lower height-for-age scores during childhood in Vietnamand during infancy in Africa. These findings add to theevidence on the enduring consequences of water pollution andidentify a critical area for policy intervention.