The Impact of Chernobyl on Health and Labour Market Performance in the Ukraine

36 Pages Posted: 13 Oct 2009

See all articles by Hartmut Lehmann

Hartmut Lehmann

University of Bologna - School of Economics, Management, and Statistics; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Jonathan Wadsworth

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Centre for Economic Performance (CEP); IZA Institute of Labor Economics; William Davidson Institute; Royal Holloway College University of London

Abstract

Using longitudinal data from the Ukraine we examine the extent of any long-lasting effects of radiation exposure from the Chernobyl disaster on the health and labour market performance of the adult workforce. The variation in the local area level of radiation fallout from the Chernobyl accident is considered as a potential instrument to try to establish the causal impact of poor health on labour force participation, hours worked and wages. There appears to be a significant positive association between local area-level radiation dosage and health perception based on self-reported poor health status, though much weaker associations between local area-level dosage and other specific health conditions or labour market performance. Any effects on negative health perceptions appear to be stronger among women and older individuals.

Keywords: Chernobyl, health, labour market performance

JEL Classification: H00, J00

Suggested Citation

Lehmann, Hartmut F. and Wadsworth, Jonathan, The Impact of Chernobyl on Health and Labour Market Performance in the Ukraine. IZA Discussion Paper No. 4467, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1486969 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1486969

Hartmut F. Lehmann (Contact Author)

University of Bologna - School of Economics, Management, and Statistics ( email )

Piazza Scaravilli 1
40126 Bologna, fc 47100
Italy

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Jonathan Wadsworth

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) ( email )

Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE
England

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

William Davidson Institute

724 E. University Ave.
Wyly Hall
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1234
United States

Royal Holloway College University of London

Senate House
Malet Street
London, TW20 0EX
United Kingdom

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