Final Progress Report
Sustainability Science Program
September 1, 2008 – August 31, 2009
Name: Rema Hanna
Date: August 5, 2009
Field(s): Development Economics/Environmental Economics
Your degree program, institution and (expected) graduation date:
Harvard Kennedy School, Faculty Member
Faculty host(s) at Harvard name and department: Rohini Pande (HKS), Sendhil Mullainathan
(Economics)
Description of SSP-related research activity, including a title:
Air Pollution in India
The Impacts of Indoor Air Pollution: Evidence from an Experiment in India
Abstract (one paragraph):
The Impact of Air Pollution on Health in India: This research on the impact of air pollution on health
in India will advance understanding of the potential impact of environmental policies in low income
countries. The first project examines the effect of indoor air pollution (IAP) on health and well-being
in India. Indoor air pollution results from cooking with solid fuels on open fires and/or in traditional
stoves. It is thought be one of the greatest dangers to individuals in developing countries. This study
randomly assigns “clean” stoves that reduce indoor air pollution concentrations dramatically. The idea
is to measure the impact of the assignment of the clean stoves on a series of infant, child, and adult
health outcomes, as well as a series of economic outcomes (e.g., labor supply and school attendance).
The preliminary results indicate that there is a reduction in smoke exposure (measured by the carbon
monoxide content of respondents’ breath), thus the study will be able to measure the causal impact of
IAP on health and other outcomes. The study involves 2,500 households in Orissa, India, which is one
of the poorest states in India. It is only the second randomized evaluation of clean stoves and its
sample size (five times larger than the other study) means that it will be able to provide much more
definitive answers to key questions. A second project studies the impact of distributing improved
cooking stoves, which are designed to reduce indoor air pollution, on respiratory health and economic
well-being. It is the largest randomized evaluation to date of an improved stove program, with 2500
households participating in the project, in one of the poorest and most remote areas in India. The study
will examine whether the stoves reduce exposure to air toxins. The study will examine mid-line survey
data to ascertain whether the reduction in toxin exposure translates to health gains. The second project
examines the relationship between air pollution and infant mortality across Indian Cities. It analyzes a
data set on air pollution rates and infant mortality rates in about 90 Indian cities over 15 years
involving data collected from about 15 Indian states.
Identification of the problem you address (1 sentence to a paragraph):
This project aims to understand the impact of air pollution on health, and also to understand what types
of policies reduce air pollution.
The methods by which you answered that question (1 sentence to a paragraph):