Economics ETDs

Na LuFollow

Publication Date

Fall 11-15-2019

Abstract

This dissertation mainly focuses on agricultural policies, water pollution and human health. Chapter.2 examines the causal impact of agricultural water pollution on individual health outcomes. The findings suggest that agricultural water pollution worsens health outcomes and these adverse health effects appear to be largely due to contaminated drinking water. Chapter.3 explores both of the intended wealth effect and unintended pollution effect on human health caused by China’s agricultural support polices. I find that although the income effect dominates on reducing the overall sickness, the pollution effect is more substantial on the diarrhea incidence and adult BMI. Income affects slightly higher than pollution on adults' overall health, while pollution has higher impacts on children's overall health. Chapter.4 builds a dynamic optimization model internalizing the health cost of agricultural water pollution. My simulation results suggest that policymakers should manage fertilizer application rates based on the initial nitrate concentration levels.

Degree Name

Economics

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Department of Economics

First Committee Member (Chair)

Kira M. Villa

Second Committee Member

Janie M. Chermak

Third Committee Member

Jingjing Wang

Fourth Committee Member

Tim Bersak

Language

English

Keywords

Agricultural pollution, agricultural support policies, dynamic optimization, Nitrate pollution, China

Document Type

Dissertation

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Economics Commons

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