Bringing Satellite-Based Air Quality Estimates Down to Earth

Meredith Fowlie, Edward Rubin and Reed Walker

AEA Papers and Proceedings, 2019, vol. 109, 283-88

Abstract: We use state-of-the-art, satellite-based PM 2.5 data products to assess the extent to which the Environmental Protection Agency's existing, monitor-based measurements over- or underestimate true exposure to PM 2.5 pollution. Treating satellite-based estimates as truth implies a substantial number of "policy errors"—overregulating areas that are in compliance with the air quality standards and under-regulating other areas that appear to be in violation. We investigate the health implications of these apparent errors. We also highlight the importance of accounting for prediction error in satellite-based estimates. Once prediction errors are accounted for, conclusions with regards to "policy errors" become substantially more uncertain.

JEL-codes: I12 L51 Q51 Q53 Q58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
Note: DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20191064
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (45)

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