Same pollution but different health impact: the role of economic condition

Xuemei Zhang (), Haitao Yin () and Feng Wang ()
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Xuemei Zhang: Northwest University, School of Economics and Management
Haitao Yin: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Antai College of Economics and Management
Feng Wang: Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, School of Public Administration and Policy

Empirical Economics, 2025, vol. 69, issue 6, No 11, 3337-3365

Abstract: Abstract This study investigates how community economic conditions shape the health impacts of in utero exposure to pollution in China. Using nationally representative survey data, we compare the health outcomes of children born before and after the establishment of a local polluting factory. We find that prenatal exposure significantly increases childhood illness. The effect is especially strong in economically disadvantaged communities and weakens as local economic conditions improve. Two mechanisms help explain this pattern: wealthier communities are better positioned to mitigate harm through greater parental investment and stricter environmental enforcement, while income gains following factory establishment help offset health costs in poorer communities. The mitigating role of economic conditions is especially pronounced among children under age 13 and boys.

Keywords: Health; Polluting factory; Economic development; China; Early childhood (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I14 I15 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s00181-025-02796-z

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