Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
2017
College/Unit
College of Business and Economics
Document Number
17-25
Department/Program/Center
Economics
Abstract
Flint changed its public water source in April 2014, increasing lead exposure. The effects of lead in water on fertility and birth outcomes are not well established. Exploiting variation in the timing of births we find fertility rates decreased by 12%, fetal death rates increased by 58% (a selection effect from a culling of the least healthy fetuses), and overall health at birth decreased (from scarring), compared to other cities in Michigan. Given recent efforts to establish a registry of residents exposed, these results suggests women who miscarried, had a stillbirth or had a newborn with health complications should register.
Digital Commons Citation
Grossman, Daniel and Slutsky, David J.G., "The Effect of an Increase in Lead in the Water System on Fertility and Birth Outcomes: The Case of Flint, Michigan" (2017). Economics Faculty Working Papers Series. 20.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/econ_working-papers/20