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The long-run effects of fetal PM2.5 exposure on mental health: evidence from China.
- Source :
- Environmental Science & Pollution Research; Mar2023, Vol. 30 Issue 12, p34158-34173, 16p
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- This paper investigates the long-run effects of PM<subscript>2.5</subscript> exposure in utero on the mental health of adolescents. Using nationally representative survey data from China, we instrument the PM<subscript>2.5</subscript> exposure with wind speed to tackle the possible endogeneity problem. Our results show that mothers' PM<subscript>2.5</subscript> exposure during their pregnancy negatively affects the mental health of their children aged between 10 and 15 years. A 1 µg/m<superscript>3</superscript> increase in PM<subscript>2.5</subscript> exposure in utero increases the probability of having a severe mental illness for adolescents by 0.6%. Our evidence supports the "fetal origins" hypothesis. We also find that fetal PM<subscript>2.5</subscript> exposure leads adolescents to be more likely to be absent from school and quarrel with their parents, implying that fetal PM<subscript>2.5</subscript> exposure may affect individuals' behavior when they grow up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- MENTAL health
WIND speed
CHILDREN'S health
MENTAL illness
ADOLESCENT health
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 09441344
- Volume :
- 30
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Environmental Science & Pollution Research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 162467175
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-24661-7