Air Pollution and Adult Cognition: Evidence from Brain Training
We exploit novel data from brain-training games to examine the impacts of air pollution on a comprehensive set of cognitive skills in 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 workforce 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 productivity.
-
-
Copy CitationAndrea La Nauze and Edson R. Severnini, "Air Pollution and Adult Cognition: Evidence from Brain Training," NBER Working Paper 28785 (2021), https://doi.org/10.3386/w28785.Download Citation
-
Published Versions
Andrea La Nauze & Edson Severnini, 2025. "Air Pollution and Adult Cognition: Evidence from Brain Training," Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol 12(1), pages 221-255.