Residential Noise Exposure and Health: Evidence from Aviation Noise and Birth Outcomes

Laura M. Argys (), Susan L. Averett () and Muzhe Yang ()
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Laura M. Argys: University of Colorado Denver
Susan L. Averett: Lafayette College
Muzhe Yang: Lehigh University

No 12605, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Exploiting recent concentration of flight patterns under a new Federal Aviation Administration policy (called NextGen), we examine the impact of exposure to excessive noise levels on birth outcomes. Using birth records that include mothers’ home addresses to measure airport proximity, we find the risk of low birth weight babies increases by 17 percent among mothers living near the airport in the direction of the runway. We utilize exogenous variation in noise exposure triggered by NextGen, which unintentionally increased noise in communities affected by the new flight patterns. Our finding informs policy-makers regarding the trade-off between flight optimization and human health.

Keywords: low birth weight; airport runway; noise; NextGen (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 I18 Q53 Q58 R11 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 49 pages
Date: 2019-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-env and nep-hea
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published - published in: Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 2020, 103, 102343

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