Coal power plant emission exposure and its effect on education access

摘要

Aim: We investigate the effects of exposure to coal power plant emissions on school absenteeism for children with asthma, a leading cause of health-related barriers to education. Subject and methods: We combine responses from the 2007-2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Systemsurvey with coal power plant emission data to estimate a zero negative binomial regression model of school absences and investigate misspecification bias associated with naive assumptions about emission dispersion and self-selection into treatment groups. Results: The results show a robust, positive relationship (P < 0.001) between increases in emission exposure and the likelihood of a school absence due to an asthma episode. Exposure to higher emission volumes is associated with a 1.92-4.81% higher likelihood of missing an additional school day. Furthermore, assuming uniform emission dispersion and not controlling for self-selection underestimates the effects by 2.72-4.27 times. Conclusion: Access to education and the ability to develop human capital through schooling are affected for children with respiratory illnesses who are exposed to emissions. Public policies for emission regulation are likely to remain relevant for lowering pediatric respiratory health risks and lowering barriers to educational opportunities.