The Impact of Mining-Induced Earthquakes on Mental Health: Evidence from the Dutch Lifelines Cohort Study and Biobank

Ailun Shui (), Gerard J. van den Berg (), Jochen O. Mierau () and Laura Viluma ()
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Ailun Shui: University of Groningen
Gerard J. van den Berg: University of Groningen
Jochen O. Mierau: University of Groningen
Laura Viluma: University of Groningen

No 17925, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: A large body of literature demonstrates that exposure to major adverse events such as natural disasters affects physical and mental health. Less is known about health consequences of long- term exposure to smaller, recurring shocks such as mining-induced earthquakes. Leveraging data from the Dutch Lifelines Cohort Study and Biobank and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, we examine mental health effects of frequent earthquakes generated by the extraction of natural gas, which was a major source of economic revenue for the Netherlands. Long-term exposure is captured by the accumulated peak ground acceleration. We employ individual-level fixed effects models to deal with selective exposure. We find that exposure increases depression and anxiety symptoms. Our results are robust to selective migration and to varying the exposure indicator. The results support a reassessment of the societal costs of the mining of natural gas.

Keywords: anxiety; depression; mental health; induced earthquakes; mining; stress; gas-extraction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 I18 Q33 Q53 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-05
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