Data and Code for: A Thousand Cuts: Cumulative Lead Exposure Reduces Academic Achievement
Principal Investigator(s): View help for Principal Investigator(s) Alex Hollingsworth, Indiana University; Jiafang Huang, Cornell University; Ivan Rudik, Cornell University; Nicholas J. Sanders, Cornell University
Version: View help for Version V1
| Name | File Type | Size | Last Modified |
|---|---|---|---|
| acs | 09/07/2022 07:18:PM | ||
| census | 09/07/2022 07:58:PM | ||
| control | 09/07/2022 06:58:PM | ||
| from-hr | 09/08/2022 02:00:AM | ||
| test_scores | 09/07/2022 06:58:PM | ||
| usda | 09/08/2022 02:18:AM | ||
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text/plain | 547.5 MB | 09/07/2022 02:58:PM |
Project Description
Summary:
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We study how ambient lead exposure impacts learning in elementary school by
leveraging a natural experiment where a large national automotive racing organization
switched from leaded to unleaded fuel. We find increased levels and duration of exposure
to lead negatively affect academic performance, shift the entire academic performance
distribution, and negatively impact both younger and older children. The average
treated student in our setting has an expected income reduction of $5,200 in present
value terms. Avoiding said treatment has an effect size similar to improving teacher
value added by one-fourth of a standard deviation, reducing class size by 3 students,
or increasing school spending per pupil by $750. The marginal impacts of lead are
larger in impoverished, non-white counties, and among students with greater duration
of exposure, even after controlling for the total quantity of exposure.
Scope of Project
Subject Terms:
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lead;
air pollution;
education;
test scores;
children
Geographic Coverage:
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Florida
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