This paper investigates the impact of air pollution on the labor supply of the middle-aged and elderly in rural China. The results suggest that exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 has detrimental effects on working hours of the middle-aged and elderly. We further demonstrate the heterogeneous effects of PM2.5 by income and geographic regions. In particular, people with vulnerable economic conditions are more likely than others to reduce their labor hours due to PM2.5 exposure. Moreover, higher PM2.5 levels affected people in Central and Northeastern China more significantly than those in other regions.
This paper explored the difference of health damage caused by PM2.5 among the rural mid-aged and elderly in the same pollution level areas. In addition, the reason for the difference is also discussed. The results indicate that one unit concentration increase in PM2.5 is related to a statistically significant 1.82% increase in the probability of suffering chronic cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory diseases for the low-income individuals. It is 0.0012 higher than those with high income. In addition, the mid-aged and elderly in the areas with high per capita GDP face a higher risk of having the related chronic diseases. Personal health awareness and local medical service infrastructure play positive roles in reducing the health impacts of PM2.5.
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