Efectos contemporaneos y rezagados de la contaminación por material particulado, en el rendimiento académico de alumnos de la región del BIO-BIO

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to quantify the contemporary and lagged effects of pollutants such as PM10 and PM2.5 on the standardized results of SIMCE test scores. Multiple studies haves hown that higher concentration of pollutants can affect the children’s learning process by triggering respiratory illnesses, fatigue, absenteeism and attention problems. This issue has not yet been studied in the VIII region, and this research test such hypothesis. It examines results from nearly 70000 students in fourth, eight and tenth grades between 2009 and 2013, and for reading, math and science test scores. Data for particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), were interpolated at school level using a kriging methodology. Results show that 52,6% of schools on the sample are below the international standard for annual PM10 levels. Also, there is evidence of non linearity in the annual PM10 effects on the math and reading scores, which point to a negative effect starting at 50 micrograms per cubic meter. In addition, results show a differentiated effect between fourth, eight and tenth graders, each with different lagged negative effects. The recommendation is to improve the data availability from the monitoring stations, in order to improve future research. Also, to reduce the annual pollution to levels below 50 micrograms per cubic meter, where the effect of PM10 does not reduce test scores.