Files
Abstract
Cost-benefit analyses of health and safety regulations require estimates of the benefits of
reducing pollution, and hence the risks of pollution-caused illnesses. Lost work income
constitutes an important component of monetized benefits. This paper examines the
impact of married men and women’s health conditions potentially caused or exacerbated
by environmental exposures on their labor force participation, hours of work, and weekly
earnings. I focus on cancer, stroke, ischemic heart disease, emphysema, chronic
bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. The analysis is based on
data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey for U.S. households from 1996 to 2002.