Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/236384 
Year of Publication: 
2021
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 14353
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We exploit novel data from brain-training games to examine the impacts of air pollution on a comprehensive set of cognitive skills of adults. We find that exposure to particulate matter (PM2.5) impairs adult cognitive function, and that these effects are largest for those in prime working age. These results confirm a hypothesized mechanism for the impacts of air pollution on productivity. We also find that the cognitive effects are largest for new tasks and for those with low ability, suggesting that air pollution increases inequality in workforce productivity.
Subjects: 
air pollution
particulate matter
cognition
cognitive skills
JEL: 
Q53
J24
I14
I24
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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