American Economic Journal:
Applied Economics
ISSN 1945-7782 (Print) | ISSN 1945-7790 (Online)
Going Beneath the Surface: Petroleum Pollution, Regulation, and Health
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
vol. 13,
no. 1, January 2021
(pp. 1–37)
(Complimentary)
Abstract
This paper quantifies the health impacts of petroleum leaks from underground storage tanks, the effectiveness of tank regulation, and the role of information as a policy tool in the same setting. Exposure to a leaking underground storage tank during gestation increases both the probability of low birthweight and preterm birth by 7–8 percent. Compliance with regulations requiring the adoption of preventative technologies mitigated the entire effect of leak exposure on low birthweight, and information increased avoidance and moving among highly educated mothers. Back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest the health benefits of preventative regulations exceed the upgrade cost to facilities.Citation
Marcus, Michelle. 2021. "Going Beneath the Surface: Petroleum Pollution, Regulation, and Health." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 13 (1): 1–37. DOI: 10.1257/app.20190130Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- I12 Health Behavior
- K32 Environmental, Energy, Health, and Safety Law
- L71 Mining, Extraction, and Refining: Hydrocarbon Fuels
- L78 Industry Studies: Primary Products and Construction: Government Policy
- Q35 Hydrocarbon Resources
- Q51 Valuation of Environmental Effects
- Q53 Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
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