The Impacts of Coal Smoke on Infant Mortality: Evidence from Industrializing Japan

Tatsuki Inoue, Meiji University

The Industrial Revolution brought about many economic and social changes. On the one hand, the invention of the steam engine and technological innovations induced the rapid economic growth. On the other hand, industrial pollution caused severe deterioration in health conditions in the early stage of development. Although health consequences of water pollution has attracted widespread attention, a few recent studies have revealed that air pollution caused by coal burning also had adverse effects in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. However, little is known about the impacts of coal use on health in late-industrializing countries, which simultaneously experienced serious air pollution and living-standard improvements due to the economic development. To fill this gap in knowledge, this study examines the effects of coal smoke on infant mortality in Japan, where the Industrial Revolution began in the late nineteenth century. Taking advantage of unique panel data on actual coal use and infant mortality rate at prefecture level in 1899–1910, I employ a fixed effects model as the identification strategy. By the econometric analysis, I find that an increase in coal use statistically significantly raised infant mortality. Moreover, my further estimates suggest that coal smoke affected more infants than fetuses during the period. These results not only highlight the negative aspect of the economic development relying on use of coal but also contribute to a better understanding of the historical transition of mortality.

No extended abstract or paper available

 Presented in Session 152. The Demographic Effects of Shocks, Stress and Economic Development