Overview

The Air Pollution and Worker Productivity project investigates how air pollution affects worker output in industrial settings. The research aims to provide empirical evidence on the impact of air quality on productivity and assess the feasibility of interventions such as air purifiers in factory environments. The study follows a rigorous methodology, including baseline, midline, and endline surveys, air quality monitoring, and randomized controlled trials. Findings from this project will contribute to policy recommendations on improving workplace environments and public health initiatives.

Objective

This project aims to evaluate the impact of air pollution on worker productivity and assess the effectiveness of air purifiers in improving workplace conditions. It also seeks to understand factory owners' willingness to invest in air quality improvements and provide policy recommendations for healthier work environments.

Comprehensive Data Collection

The APWP project employs an extensive data collection strategy to ensure a robust analysis of air pollution's impact on worker productivity. The data collection process includes multiple phases:

• Listing Survey: Conducted across 1,022 factories to identify eligible study participants and ensure a diverse and representative sample.
• Baseline Data Collection: Involves productivity tracking among workers, with detailed records of work hours, tasks completed, and environmental conditions.
• Air Quality Monitoring: Real-time data collection using indoor and outdoor air monitors, capturing pollution levels, temperature, and humidity across treatment and control factories.
• Productivity Data: Daily tracking of worker output, wages, and hours worked to evaluate correlations between air quality and efficiency.
• Monthly Owner Surveys: Regular assessments to gather insights on production, operational costs, revenues, and factory conditions.
• Endline Survey & Willingness-to-Pay (WTP) Study: A large-scale survey planned across 2,500 factories to assess the economic feasibility of air purifiers and factory owners' perceptions of pollution's impact.

By integrating real-time monitoring, direct factory engagement, and worker-level productivity tracking, the APWP project aims to generate comprehensive, actionable insights into the relationship between air quality and economic productivity.

Engagement

• Teevrat Garg and Maulik Jagnani published Pollution, Productivity, and Willingness to Pay for Clean Air.
• Blogs Improving air quality in the workplace. Evidence from South Asia
• Teevrat Garg and Maulik Jagnani published Pollution, Productivity and Willingness to Pay for Defensive Investments
• Related articles by Maulik Jagnan on The Air Purifier Paradox in South Asia: Underused Despite Suffocating Air Quality