Job Market Paper
Abstract: Regulating toxic industrial pollutants can improve local access to pollution information, potentially leading to changes in health outcomes and behaviors. This paper examines the first statewide policy in New Hampshire to regulate Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in drinking water and assesses its impact on mortality and healthcare utilization among residents exposed to industrial pollution. Using a difference-in-difference model based on proximity to the polluting manufacturing facilities, I find that the PFAS regulation lowered mortality by 7\%, and increased healthcare utilization and investment in preventive care among residents of a broader area than defined by contaminated drinking water. The findings highlight that both the costs of industrial pollution and the benefits of regulation can extend beyond boundaries defined by water quality violations.
Work in Progress
Mining-related Deforestation and Infant Health
Abstract: Weak institutions and regulatory failures in developing countries, particularly concerning industrial activities, can lead to substantial negative health externalities. Additionally, it is well-documented that deforestation exacerbates soil erosion, increasing risk of water pollution downstream. Using global mineral price shocks, I assess the impact of mining activities on downstream water pollution in India, comparing minerals linked to deforestation with those that are not. I then investigate how this mining-induced deforestation affects infant mortality in the downstream regions.