Does Air Pollution Decrease Labor Supply of the Rural Middle-Aged and Elderly?

This paper investigates the impact of air pollution on the labor supply of the middle-aged and elderly in rural China. The results suggest that exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 has detrimental effects on working hours of the middle-aged and elderly. We further demonstrate the heterogeneous effects of PM2.5 by income and geographic regions. In particular, people with vulnerable economic conditions are more likely than others to reduce their labor hours due to PM2.5 exposure. Moreover, higher PM2.5 levels affected people in Central and Northeastern China more significantly than those in other regions.

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Environmental Regulation and Exports: Evidence from the Comprehensive Air Pollution Policy in China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18031316 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (3) ◽

pp. 1316 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hong Chen ◽

Yang Xu

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Environmental Regulation ◽

Pollution Prevention ◽

Firm Entry ◽

Entry And Exit ◽

Control Plan ◽

Heterogeneous Effects ◽

The Impact ◽

The City ◽

Firm Entry And Exit

The impact of environmental regulation has been an important topic. Based on the Chinese Custom Database and China City Statistical Yearbook, this paper investigates the effect of environmental regulation on export values and explores potential mechanisms and heterogeneous effects. Taking advantage of China’s first comprehensive air pollution prevention and control plan, the Air Pollution Control in Key Zones policy, as a quasi-natural experiment, we employ the difference-in-differences method to examine the causal relationship between environmental regulation and exports. We find the statistically significant and negative effect of environmental regulation on exports at the city level. Moreover, we find that the potential mechanism is the change in export values caused by firm entry and exit, especially by exiters, rather than the change in the number of exporting firms in the city caused by firm entry and exit. In addition, we find the heterogeneous effects of environmental regulation based on the differences of environmental policy across cities and the Broad Economic Categories classification.

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Exposure and Income: Preliminary Findings on Labor Supply on High Pollution Days

10.18235/0003760 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Bridget Hoffmann ◽

Juan Pablo Rud

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Labor Supply ◽

Low Income ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Working Hours ◽

Pm 2.5 ◽

Pollution Levels ◽

Fine Particulate ◽

High Pollution ◽

Average Worker

We study labor supply decisions on days with high levels of air pollution in Mexico City's metropolitan area using hourly levels of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) air pollution at the locality level. We document a negative, non-linear relationship between PM 2.5 levels and daily labor supply, with strong effects on days with extremely high pollution levels. On these days, the average worker experiences a reduction of around 7.5% of working hours. Workers partially compensate for lost hours by increasing their labor supply on days that follow high pollution days. We provide evidence that income constraints may play an important role in workers labor supply decisions, as we find more moderate responses among informal and low-income workers.

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Health and Economic Impact Assessment of Transport and Industry PM2.5 Control Policy in Guangdong Province

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su132313049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (23) ◽

pp. 13049

Author(s):

Songyan Ren ◽

Peng Wang ◽

Hancheng Dai ◽

Daiqing Zhao ◽

Toshihiko Masui

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Impact Assessment ◽

Pollution Control ◽

Working Hours ◽

Guangdong Province ◽

Integrated Assessment Model ◽

Assessment Model ◽

Added Value ◽

Air Pollution Control ◽

The Impact

PM2.5 pollution-related diseases lead to additional medical expenses and the loss of working hours, thus affecting the macro-economy. To evaluate the health-related economic impacts of PM2.5, the Integrated Assessment Model of Climate, Economic, and Environment (ICEEH), combined with the Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model, the Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) model, and a health impact assessment module was constructed. The impact of different air pollution control strategies was analyzed in Guangdong Province by establishing a Without Control (WOC) scenario, an Air Control (AIC) scenario, and a Blue Sky (BLK) scenario. The results show that in the WOC scenario for 2035, the death rate for Guangdong Province is 71,690 persons/year and the loss of working hours is 0.67 h/person/year. In the AIC and BLK scenarios compared with WOC for 2035, the loss of working hours is reduced by 29.8% and 34.3%, and premature deaths are reduced by 33.0% and 37.5%, respectively; GDP would increase by 0.05% and 0.11%, respectively, through strict pollution control policies. Furthermore, improved labor force quality induced by better air conditions would promote the added value in labor-intensive industries, such as agriculture (0.233%), other manufacturing (0.172%), textiles (0.181%), food (0.176%), railways transport (0.137%), and services (0.129%). The added value in the waste (−0.073%), nature gas (−0.076%), and crude oil sectors (−0.072%) would decrease because of the increased investment installment in PM2.5 treatment equipment.

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Application of the Data Mining Methods to Assess the Impact of Meteorological Conditions on the Episodes of High Concentrations of PM10 along the Polish – Czech Border

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/20182801027 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

pp. 01027

Author(s):

Leszek Ośródka ◽

Ewa Krajny ◽

Marek Wojtylak

Keyword(s):

Data Mining ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Concentration Level ◽

Meteorological Data ◽

Meteorological Conditions ◽

Mining Methods ◽

High Concentrations ◽

The Impact ◽

Derivatives Of

The paper presents an attempt to use selected data mining methods to determine the influence of a complex of meteorological conditions on the concentrations of PM10 (PM2.5) proffering the example of the regions of Silesia and Northern Moravia. The collection of standard meteorological data has been supplemented by increments and derivatives of measurable weather elements such as vertical pseudo-gradient of air temperature. The main objective was to develop a universal methodology for the assessment of these impacts, i.e. one that would be independent of the analysed pollution. The probability of occurrence (at a given location) of the assumed concentration level as exceeding the value of the specified distributional quintile was adopted as the discriminant of the incidence. As a result of the analyses conducted, incidences of elevated concentrations of air pollution particulate matter PM10 have been identified and the types of weather responsible for the emergence of such situations have also been determined.

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Greenness-air pollution-physical activity-hypertension association among middle-aged and older adults: Evidence from urban and rural China

Environmental Research ◽

10.1016/j.envres.2021.110836 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 195 ◽

pp. 110836

Author(s):

Baishi Huang ◽

Tong Xiao ◽

George Grekousis ◽

Hongsheng Zhao ◽

Jiarui He ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Air Pollution ◽

Rural China ◽

Middle Aged

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Short-term effect of fine particulate matter and ozone on non-accidental mortality and respiratory mortality in Lishui district, China

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-11713-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yuqi Chen ◽

Zhigang Jiao ◽

Ping Chen ◽

Lijun Fan ◽

Xudan Zhou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Elderly People ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Short Term ◽

Respiratory Mortality ◽

Population Attributable Fractions ◽

Fine Particulate ◽

Attributable Fractions ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background In recent years, air pollution has become an imminent problem in China. Few studies have investigated the impact of air pollution on the mortality of the middle-aged and elderly people. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impact of PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) and O3 (ozone) on non-accidental mortality and respiratory mortality of the middle-aged and elderly people in Lishui District of Nanjing and provide the evidence for potential prevention and control measures of air pollution. Method Using daily mortality and atmospheric monitoring data from 2015 to 2019, we applied a generalized additive model with time-series analysis to evaluate the association of PM2.5 and O3 exposure with daily non-accidental mortality and respiratory mortality in Lishui District. Using the population attributable fractions to estimate the death burden caused by short-term exposure to O3 and PM2.5。. Result For every 10 μg/m3 increase in PM2.5, non-accidental mortality increased 0.94% with 95% confidence interval (CI) between 0.05 and 1.83%, and PM2.5 had a more profound impact on females than males. For every 10 μg/m3 increase in O3, respiratory mortality increased 1.35% (95% CI: 0.05, 2.66%) and O3 had a more profound impact on males than females. Compared with the single pollutant model, impact of the two-pollutant model on non-accidental mortality and respiratory mortality slightly decreased. In summer and winter as opposed to the other seasons, O3 had a more obvious impact on non-accidental mortality. The population attributable fractions of non-accidental mortality were 0.84% (95% CI:0.00, 1.63%) for PM2.5 and respiratory mortality were 0.14% (95% CI:0.01, 0.26%) for O3. For every 10 μg/m3 decrease in PM2.5, 122 (95% CI: 6, 237) non-accidental deaths could be avoided. For every 10 μg/m3 decrease in O3, 10 (95% CI: 1, 38) respiratory deaths could be avoided. Conclusion PM2.5 and O3 could significantly increase the risk of non-accidental and respiratory mortality in the middle-aged and elderly people in Lishui District of Nanjing. Exposed to air pollutants, men were more susceptible to O3 damage, and women were more susceptible to PM2.5 damage. Reduction of PM2.5 and O3 concentration in the air may have the potential to avoid considerable loss of lives.

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The new rural social pension program in rural China: participation and its correlates

China Agricultural Economic Review ◽

10.1108/caer-07-2016-0116 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 647-661 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Qiran Zhao ◽

Stephan Brosig ◽

Renfu Luo ◽

Linxiu Zhang ◽

Ai Yue ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Labor Supply ◽

Rural China ◽

The Elderly ◽

Rural Elderly ◽

Pension Scheme ◽

Data Set ◽

Content Type ◽

Pension Program ◽

Social Pension ◽

The Impact

Purpose The need for a universal rural pension system has been heightened by demographic changes in rural China, including the rapid aging of the nation’s rural population and a dramatic decline in fertility. In response to these changes, China’s Government introduced the New Rural Social Pension Program (NRSPP) in 2009, a voluntary and highly subsidized pension scheme. The purpose of this paper is to assess the participation of rural farmers in the NRSPP. Furthermore, the authors examine whether the NRSPP affects the labor supply of the elderly population in China. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses household-level data from a sample of 2,020 households originating from a survey conducted by the authors in five provinces, 25 counties, and 101 villages in rural China. Using a probit model and conducting correlation analysis, the authors demonstrate the factors affecting the participation and the impact of NRSPP on labor supply of the rural elderly. Findings The results show there are several factors that are correlated with participation, such as specific policy variant in force in the respective household's province, the size of the pension payout from government, the age of sample individuals, and the value of household durable assets. Specifically, different characteristics of NRSPP policy implementation increase participation in China’s social pension program. The results suggest that the introduction of the NRSPP has not affected the labor supply of the rural elderly, in general, although it has reduced participation for the elderly who were in poor health. Originality/value Several previous studies have covered the NRSPP. However, all previous studies were based on case studies or just focused on a small region, and for this reason the results cannot reflect the populations and heterogeneity of rural areas. Therefore, a data set with a large sample size is used in this paper to provide a new perspective to fully understand the participation of NRSPP and its impacts on rural households. This paper will make an update contribution to the literature in the area of pension programs in China.

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Occupational Mobility of Black Women, 1958–1981: The Impact of Post-1964 Antidiscrimination Measures

ILR Review ◽

10.1177/001979399204500206 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 45 (2) ◽

pp. 281-294 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Augustin Kwasi Fosu

Keyword(s):

Black Women ◽

Civil Rights ◽

Labor Supply ◽

White Women ◽

Occupational Mobility ◽

White Men ◽

Economic Conditions ◽

Civil Rights Act ◽

Significant Measure ◽

The Impact

This study finds that between 1965 and 1981, black women's occupational mobility rose relative to that of white women and white men by about 20% and 24%, respectively, and that more than half of these gains remain even after controlling for pre-existing trends, cyclical economic conditions, education, and factors potentially influencing the labor supply. No evidence is found to support the null hypothesis that this pattern is explained in significant measure by a decline in the labor supply of black women. The author argues, instead, that the results reflect the effects of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and, by the mid-1970s, affirmative action laws.

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The impact of social insurance on health among middle-aged and older adults in rural China: a longitudinal study using a three-wave nationwide survey

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09945-2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xinxin Ma ◽

Takashi Oshio

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Fixed Effects ◽

Social Insurance ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Rural China ◽

Middle Aged ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Many studies have examined the impact of social insurance on health, but the results have generally been mixed, presumably because they have not fully addressed potential biases related to the study’s cross-sectional design. In this study, we conducted a longitudinal analysis to investigate how participation in two social insurance programs in China—the New Rural Social Pension Insurance (NRSPI) and the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (NRCMS)—was associated with health outcomes among middle-aged and older adults in rural China. Methods Using three-wave longitudinal data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study conducted in 2011, 2013, and 2015, we estimated the dynamic fixed-effects regression models to examine the association between participation in the NRCMS/NRSPI and six types of health outcomes. Results Participation in the NRSPI was positively associated with some health outcomes, but the associations were relatively modest and were observed only for some specific age and household income groups. Participation in NRCMS was not associated with any health outcomes. Conclusions The results provide limited evidence of the positive impact of social insurance on health among middle-aged and older adults in rural China. Thus, social insurance programs should be reformed to enhance their positive impact on health.

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Heterogeneous Effects of Health Insurance on Rural Children’s Health in China: A Causal Machine Learning Approach

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18189616 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (18) ◽

pp. 9616

Author(s):

Hua Chen ◽

Jianing Xing ◽

Xiaoxu Yang ◽

Kai Zhan

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Policy Design ◽

Rural China ◽

School Age Children ◽

Health Improvement ◽

Significant Heterogeneity ◽

School Age ◽

Heterogeneous Effects ◽

The Impact

This paper investigates the impact of Urban and Rural Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URRBMI) on the health of preschool and school-age children in rural China using data from the 2018 wave of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). We employ the propensity score matching approach and causal forest to evaluate impacts. Results show that the URRBMI has significantly improved the health status of preschool children. However, the health improvement of school-age children by URRBMI is only limited to obese children, and this effect is not significant. In addition, this paper identifies important variables related to heterogeneity through the causal forest and evaluates the heterogeneity of the impact of URRBMI on the health of two types of children. For preschool children, we find disadvantaged mothers (i.e., with lower wealth, lower educated, or in rural areas) benefit more from the URRBMI. No significant heterogeneity is found for the school-age children. Our study demonstrates the power of causal forest to uncover the heterogeneity in policy evaluation, hence providing policymakers with valuable information for policy design.

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