Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item The effects of RGGI on mortality outcomes(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2024) Power, Nicholas Markert; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Justin GallagherMost debates around market-based solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions often focus on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and cost-effectiveness. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a cap-and-trade program designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and was implemented in 2009 across nine states in the greater New England area. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that over 6.5 million people die from air pollution annually. Particulate Matter of 2.5 microns or less in diameter is a major component in greenhouse gas emissions and has a myriad of deleterious effects to human health. This paper explores whether the RGGI policy had an impact on mortality rates, using a difference-in-differences approach, and estimates reduction in Cardiovascular related mortalities for the age cohort 15-64. I estimate that there are approximately 12 fewer deaths per county effected by the RGGI policy from 2009- 2019.Combined with the 45 counties affected by the policy, there are an estimated 553 fewer cardiovascular related mortalities for the 15-64 age group from 2009-2019 as compared to the counties unaffected by the policy. Robustness checks are run to verify the reliability of this finding.Item The effect of air pollution on exam performance: a case study using California public high schools(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2018) Musser, Kyle James; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Brock SmithThe California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) and natural variation in ambient air quality are used to estimate the effect of pollution exposure on exam performance. Two regularly monitored air pollutants, particulate matter PM2.5 and PM10 are used as measures of air pollution. A negative relationship between particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) exposure and decreased exam performance is found. The results, from models using school and year fixed effects, suggest high levels (two standard deviation increases from the mean) of PM2.5 and PM10 on exam days cause declines in average exam performance of roughly 2-6% of a standard deviation compared to exams taken during less polluted days. The estimated magnitude of these findings is slightly smaller, but within bounds of similar studies from high school aged students in Israel and the United Kingdom. This relationship is found to hold for students from both high and low socio-economic status and is not statistically different between students who are White, African American, Hispanic or Latino or Asian although results are not robust to the inclusion of district-by-year time trends for the math section of the exam. These findings highlight that pollution reduction efforts could have positive impacts to students and schools that are not traditionally considered in cost/benefit analyses.Item Air pollution control : an economic analysis of a Montana smelter's SO2 emissions(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 1971) Asmus, BarryItem Tracking the little black 'rain' clouds : an enviro-economic analysis of ambient air pollution effects on pediatric asthma(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2012) Morgan, Jake Roberts; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Anton Bekkerman.Epidemiological studies routinely demonstrate a positive correlation between ambient air pollution and respiratory aggravation. Potential benefits from federal regulations to economic and physical health of individuals, however, are not well understood by either law makers or voters. As the EPA implements new regulations targeting SO ₂ emissions, robust empirical analysis can frame the policy issue as one of statistical and economic analysis. The Asthma Call Back Survey extension of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System collects detailed data on symptoms, intervention methods, and demographics of individuals with asthma as well as associated ZIP-level spatial identification. The EPA's Acid Rain emissions database records detailed emission data for every power plant in the country. Together, these data can be used to link detailed asthma information with nearby plant emission levels, providing the foundation for an in-depth enviro-economic analysis of SO ₂ effects on pediatric asthma aggravation and potential long term human capital investment. Using a zero-inflated negative binomial regression technique, the study estimates the effect that pollution has on days of missed school the provides insight into educational effects of emissions and presents the issue as one important to child development. The results and policy-oriented sensitivity analysis demonstrate the clear benefits of coal power plant pollution reduction, and suggest policy and education solutions which can mitigate negative asthma outcomes and promote educational attainments.