Health Impacts of Transboundary Air Pollution

The paper presented in this ZEW Research Seminar investigates the health and pollution externalities caused by transboundary particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) between Germany and Poland. Utilizing data from 1996 to 2018, the paper shows that Poland's heavy reliance on coal for residential heating, especially during winter, leads to significantly higher pollution levels than in neighboring Germany. By analyzing wind patterns, the authors isolate the effect of cross-border pollution and find that easterly winds increase particulate matter in German border regions by 10-15 mg/m^3 , particularly during colder months. The analysis of hospital admissions data shows a corresponding rise in respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, with older populations being most affected.