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In Utero Exposure to Airborne Lead Affects Long-Run Socioeconomic Outcomes
In Utero Exposure to Airborne Lead Affects Long-Run Socioeconomic Outcomes
Working Paper Number CED-WP-2021-002
Abstract
We report on the long-term effects of in utero exposure to air lead on adult socio-eco-nomic outcomes, including earnings, disabilities, employment, public assistance, and education. Using US administrative data, we match individuals in the 2000 Decennial Census and 2001-2014 American Community Surveys to the county of their birth and birth date, and then to aver-age lead concentrations in that county during the individual's 9 months in utero. We find a 0.5 μg/m3 decrease in air lead, representing the average 1975-85 change, is associated with an in-crease in earnings of 3.9%. Long-term effects for girls seem to be on the extensive margin of working at all, whereas for boys it appears to fall more on the intensive margin of hours worked.
Page Last Revised - January 31, 2023
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