The Economics of Clean Air
Pollution, Productivity and Learning
How research shows air pollution lowers worker productivity, students' test scores and even cognitive performance, adding to its economic costs.
Pollution affects not just health but productivity.
Workers
- A study of textile workers in India found output fell on high-pollution days.
- Studies elsewhere found lower productivity among call centre workers and fruit pickers.
Students
- Research found students score lower on exams taken on polluted days.
- Long-term exposure may reduce cognitive development.
Absences
Pollution raises sick days for workers and absences for children.
Economic estimates
The World Bank and others estimate pollution costs India several percent of GDP a year, including productivity losses.
Investment
Firms may avoid investing in polluted cities, and talented workers may move away.
Lesson
Clean air is an economic investment, not just an environmental one.
In a garment factory, workers stitch fewer pieces on days when pollution is very high, reducing output and wages.
It lowers productivity and learning.
- Pollution lowers worker productivity.
- Students score lower on polluted days.
- It raises sick days and absences.
- Clean air is an economic investment.
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