Congestion Pricing, Air Pollution, and Children’s Health

Emilia Simeonova; Janet Currie; Peter Nilsson; Reed Walker

doi:10.3368/JHR.56.4.0218-9363R2

Congestion Pricing, Air Pollution, and Children’s Health

Emilia Simeonova, Janet Currie, Peter Nilsson, Reed Walker

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study examines the effects of a congestion tax in central Stockholm on ambient air pollution and the health of local children. We demonstrate that the tax reduced ambient air pollution by 5–15 percent and the rate of acute asthma attacks among young children. We do not see corresponding changes in accidents or hospitalizations for nonrespiratory conditions. As the change in health was more gradual than the change in pollution, it may take time for the full health effects of changes in pollution to materialize if the mechanism is pollution. Hence, short-run estimates of pollution reduction programs may understate long-run health benefits.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	971-996
Number of pages	26
Journal	Journal of Human Resources
Volume	56
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3368/JHR.56.4.0218-9363R2
State	Published - 2021

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Economics and Econometrics
Strategy and Management
Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
Management of Technology and Innovation

Keywords

I18
Q53

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10.3368/JHR.56.4.0218-9363R2

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title = "Congestion Pricing, Air Pollution, and Children{\textquoteright}s Health",

abstract = "This study examines the effects of a congestion tax in central Stockholm on ambient air pollution and the health of local children. We demonstrate that the tax reduced ambient air pollution by 5–15 percent and the rate of acute asthma attacks among young children. We do not see corresponding changes in accidents or hospitalizations for nonrespiratory conditions. As the change in health was more gradual than the change in pollution, it may take time for the full health effects of changes in pollution to materialize if the mechanism is pollution. Hence, short-run estimates of pollution reduction programs may understate long-run health benefits.",

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AU - Simeonova, Emilia

AU - Currie, Janet

AU - Nilsson, Peter

AU - Walker, Reed

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - This study examines the effects of a congestion tax in central Stockholm on ambient air pollution and the health of local children. We demonstrate that the tax reduced ambient air pollution by 5–15 percent and the rate of acute asthma attacks among young children. We do not see corresponding changes in accidents or hospitalizations for nonrespiratory conditions. As the change in health was more gradual than the change in pollution, it may take time for the full health effects of changes in pollution to materialize if the mechanism is pollution. Hence, short-run estimates of pollution reduction programs may understate long-run health benefits.

AB - This study examines the effects of a congestion tax in central Stockholm on ambient air pollution and the health of local children. We demonstrate that the tax reduced ambient air pollution by 5–15 percent and the rate of acute asthma attacks among young children. We do not see corresponding changes in accidents or hospitalizations for nonrespiratory conditions. As the change in health was more gradual than the change in pollution, it may take time for the full health effects of changes in pollution to materialize if the mechanism is pollution. Hence, short-run estimates of pollution reduction programs may understate long-run health benefits.

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JO - Journal of Human Resources

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Congestion Pricing, Air Pollution, and Children’s Health

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Keywords

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