Evaluating the Impact of Arsenic-Contaminated Drinking Water on Educational Outcomes

Abstract

Research shows that high arsenic exposure harms children’s development, but its effects in high-income countries or at lower concentrations remain unclear. This study examines how arsenic-contaminated water affects children’s attendance and test scores in Maryland. I use a unique dataset linking school-level water treatment and local arsenic concentrations to estimate students’ exposure. My findings suggest reducing in-school arsenic exposure through water treatment improves attendance but has little effect on test scores. Effects vary across grade spans, underscoring the need for further research to understand the consequences of arsenic exposure.