The Effect of Pollution on Worker Productivity: Evidence from Call-Center Workers in China

Development EconomicsEnvironmental EconomicsHealth Economics
Written By gps comasst

Chang, T, J Graff Zivin T Gross, and M Neidell, “The Effect of Pollution on Worker Productivity: Evidence from Call-Center Workers in China,” American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 11(2019): 151-172.

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We investigate the effect of pollution on worker productivity in theservice sector by focusing on two call centers in China. Using pre-cise measures of each worker’s daily output linked to daily measures of pollution and meteorology, we find that higher levels of air pollution decrease worker productivity. These results manifest themselves at levels of pollution commonly found in large cities throughout the developing and developed world.

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