Tsou, Meng-Wen, Liu, Jin-Tan, Hammitt, James K., Lu, Chyi-Horng and Kao, Szu-Yu Zoe (2019) The Effect of Prenatal Exposure to Radiation on Birth Outcomes: Exploiting a Natural Experiment in Taiwan. TSE Working Paper, n. 19-1019, Toulouse

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Identification Number : 21

Abstract

We estimate the effect of prenatal exposure to radiation on infant health. By exploiting the 1983 Taiwanese radiation-contaminated buildings (RCBs) accident as a natural experiment, we compare birth outcomes between siblings and cousins exposed to different radiation levels. Given the 1983 accident was unanticipated and exposed cohorts were unaware of the risk until 1992, our design isolates the effect of radiation exposure during pregnancy from other effects. We provide the first evidence that prenatal exposure to a continuous low-level dose of radiation significantly reduces gestational length and increases the probabilities of prematurity and low birth weight.

Item Type: Monograph (Working Paper)
Language: English
Date: June 2019
Place of Publication: Toulouse
JEL Classification: I10 - General
I18 - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
J13 - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
Subjects: B- ECONOMIE ET FINANCE
Divisions: TSE-R (Toulouse)
Institution: Université Toulouse 1 Capitole
Site: UT1
Date Deposited: 17 Jun 2019 13:55
Last Modified: 28 Jun 2019 09:13
OAI Identifier: oai:tse-fr.eu:123111
URI: https://publications.ut-capitole.fr/id/eprint/32553

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