Productivity Effects of Air Pollution: Evidence from Professional Soccer

Andreas Lichter (), Nico Pestel and Eric Sommer
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Andreas Lichter: Technical University Dortmund

No 8964, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: In this paper, we estimate the causal effect of ambient air pollution on individuals' productivity by using panel data on the universe of professional soccer players in Germany over the period 1999-2011. Combining this data with hourly information on the concentration of particulate matter in spatial proximity to each stadium at the time of kickoff, we exploit exogenous variation in the players' exposure to air pollution due to match scheduling rules that are beyond the control of teams and players. Our analysis shows negative and non-linear effects of air pollution on short-run productivity. We further find that the effect increases with age and is stronger in case players face an additional physical burden.

Keywords: soccer; productivity; air pollution; sports data; Germany (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J24 Q51 Q53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 29 pages
Date: 2015-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eff, nep-ene, nep-env, nep-eur, nep-res and nep-spo
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

Forthcoming - revised version published in: Labour Economics, 2017, 48, 54-66

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Journal Article: Productivity effects of air pollution: Evidence from professional soccer (2017)
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