L’impact de la production d’énergie sur les pathologies respiratoires : le cas de la raffinerie des Flandres

Abstract

Cet article examine l’impact du dioxyde de soufre (SO 2 ) dans le département du Nord de la France sur les pathologies respiratoires à l’échelle de la commune pour la période de 2007 à 2011. L’arrêt des activités de la raffinerie des Flandres dans le nord de la France, en septembre 2009, est utilisé comme expérience naturelle. Cette étude montre, tout d’abord, que l’arrêt de l’activité de raffinage, suivi en 2010 par la fermeture définitive de la raffinerie, diminue la concentration en SO 2 . Ce choc exogène sert ensuite à étudier l’impact sanitaire d’une importante concentration en SO 2 qui résulte de la production d’énergie. Les estimations suggèrent que la diminution de la concentration en SO 2 a réduit significativement la sévérité des pathologies respiratoires. L’arrêt des activités de la raffinerie entraîne par ailleurs des effets significatifs sur le revenu des communes.

Environmental risk and differentiated housing values: Evidence from the north of France

“…This section looks at how people perceive both this reduction in the concentration of SO 2 and the change in environmental amenities. In fact, the refinery closure induced a lower health risk (Lavaine, 2016) and an aesthetic improvement in the surrounding neighbourhood. These potential changes in health outcomes and localized amenities after the refinery closure may have also affected property values.…”

“…These particles can penetrate deeply into lungs and can cause or aggravate respiratory diseases, such as emphysema and bronchitis (Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 2011). The severity of respiratory outcomes decreased following the refinery closure in Dunkirk (Lavaine, 2016). However disutility from degraded health is only one part of people's perception of pollution.…”

“…The refinery produced liquefied gases (propane and butane), fuel for airplanes and automobiles (gasoline and diesel), domestic and industrial fuel, and biofuels. Its refining capacity reached 7.8 million 2 The severity of respiratory outcomes has decreased following the refinery closure in Dunkirk (Lavaine, 2016). 3 The greatest challenge in an IV analysis is finding a credible instrument.…”

“…Section V shows that the closure of the refinery led to a reduction in air pollution. Bearing in mind the positive effect of the closure on the aesthetic value of the site's vicinity and on health (Lavaine, 2016), Section VI shows, in parallel, that the effects of the refinery closure on property prices are not always what one might expect. This paper assumes, in a context of localized changes, with potential heterogeneity in preferences, data regarding the capitalization effects at the tract level may fail to provide credible measures of consumer welfare.…”