ERIC Number: ED594405
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2019-Mar
Pages: N/A
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
School Bus Emissions, Student Health, and Academic Performance. NBER Working Paper No. 25641
Austin, Wes; Heutel, Garth; Kreisman, Daniel
National Bureau of Economic Research
Diesel emissions from school buses expose children to high levels of air pollution; retrofitting bus engines can substantially reduce this exposure. Using variation from 2,656 retrofits across Georgia, we estimate effects of emissions reductions on district-level health and academic achievement. We demonstrate positive effects on respiratory health, measured by a statewide test of aerobic capacity. Placebo tests on body mass index show no impact. We also find that retrofitting districts see significant test score gains in English and smaller gains in math. Results suggest that engine retrofits can have meaningful and cost-effective impacts on health and cognitive functioning.
Descriptors: School Buses, Pollution, Health, Academic Achievement, Prevention, Cost Effectiveness, Scores
National Bureau of Economic Research. 1050 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138-5398. Tel: 617-588-0343; Web site: http://www.nber.org
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: National Bureau of Economic Research
Identifiers - Location: Georgia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A