Bringing Satellite-Based Air Quality Estimates Down to Earth
AEA Papers and Proceedings
vol. 109,
May 2019
(pp. 283-88)
Abstract
We use state-of-the-art, satellite-based PM 2.5 data products to assess the extent to which the Environmental Protection Agency's existing, monitor-based measurements over- or underestimate true exposure to PM 2.5 pollution. Treating satellite-based estimates as truth implies a substantial number of "policy errors"—overregulating areas that are in compliance with the air quality standards and under-regulating other areas that appear to be in violation. We investigate the health implications of these apparent errors. We also highlight the importance of accounting for prediction error in satellite-based estimates. Once prediction errors are accounted for, conclusions with regards to "policy errors" become substantially more uncertain.Citation
Fowlie, Meredith, Edward Rubin, and Reed Walker. 2019. "Bringing Satellite-Based Air Quality Estimates Down to Earth." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 109: 283-88. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20191064Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- I12 Health Behavior
- L51 Economics of Regulation
- Q51 Valuation of Environmental Effects
- Q53 Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling
- Q58 Environmental Economics: Government Policy