The Impact of Enhanced Air Pollution Awareness on Defensive Actions and the Demand for Clean Air

Last registered on October 04, 2019
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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
The Impact of Enhanced Air Pollution Awareness on Defensive Actions and the Demand for Clean Air
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0004742
Initial registration date
October 03, 2019

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published
October 04, 2019, 11:53 AM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

Country
India
Region
Delhi

Primary Investigator

Name
Ken Lee
Affiliation
University of Chicago
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Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name
Michael Greenstone
PI Affiliation
University of Chicago
Contact Investigator
PI Name
Harshil Sahai
PI Affiliation
University of Chicago
Contact Investigator

Additional Trial Information

Status
In development
Start date
2019-10-04
End date
2020-09-30
Keywords
Environment & Energy, Health
Additional Keywords
Air pollution, Clean air, Sensors, Willingness-to-pay, India
JEL code(s)
Q53, Q55, Q56, O10, C93
Secondary IDs
Abstract
The residents of Delhi, India face some of the highest concentrations of air pollution in the world. Yet it has been fairly uncommon to observe people defending themselves against the harmful effects of air pollution. Although air quality has recently emerged as a political priority, anecdotal evidence suggests that demand for clean air remains low. A potential explanation for low demand is lack of awareness about both pollution and its long-term health impacts. In this proposed experiment, we randomly assign (a) indoor air-quality sensors, (b) information about the health impacts of air pollution and common defensive tactics, (c) peer comparisons, and (d) novel air purifier rental contracts across roughly 3,000 households across Delhi. The experimental design will allow us to estimate the causal impact of enhancing air pollution awareness on the willingness-to-pay for clean air.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Greenstone, Michael, Ken Lee and Harshil Sahai. 2019. "The Impact of Enhanced Air Pollution Awareness on Defensive Actions and the Demand for Clean Air." AEA RCT Registry. October 04. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.4742-1.0
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Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Planned interventions include: (a) installation of indoor air-quality sensors; (b) providing educational materials about the health impacts of air pollution and common defensive tactics; (c) presenting home air quality reports and peer comparisons; and (d) providing novel opportunities to rent air purifiers.
Intervention Start Date
2019-10-04
Intervention End Date
2020-04-30

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
Key outcome variables include: (a) average indoor air quality; (b) defensive attitudes and behaviors; (c) defensive investments; (d) willingness-to-pay for clean air.
Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
In the proposed experiment, we will randomly assign (a) indoor air-quality sensors, (b) information about the health impacts of air pollution and common defensive tactics, (c) peer comparisons, and (d) air purifier rental contracts.
Experimental Design Details
Roughly 3,000 households will be randomly assigned into one of three groups: G1, G2, and G3.

At baseline, G3 respondents will first be given a demographic survey. An indoor air quality sensor will then be installed in each respondent's home for a period of one month. The respondent will also be given an informational treatment, describing the health impacts of air pollution and common defensive tactics. After one month, the indoor air quality sensor will be uninstalled and an endline survey will be administered. In addition, G3 respondents will receive a report summarizing the indoor air quality in their homes. Half of these reports will include a peer comparison chart (randomly-selected). At that point, the respondent will be presented with an opportunity to rent a state-of-the art air purifier at a randomly-assigned rental price and contract duration.

G2 respondents will experience a similar series of interactions to the G1 respondents. However, they will receive an indoor air quality sensor with a disabled screen. Although they will receive a summary report, they will not receive an opportunity to rent an air purifier.

G1 respondents will not be surveyed at baseline. However, during the period coinciding with the endline for G2 and G3, a survey will be administered and respondents will be presented with an opportunity to rent a state-of-the art air purifier.
Randomization Method
Randomization on a computer.
Randomization Unit
Neighborhood blocks (clusters).
Was the treatment clustered?
Yes

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
300 neighborhood blocks
Sample size: planned number of observations
3,000 households
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
3,000 households (10 households per cluster) will be randomly assigned into one of 12 cells.
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Supporting Documents and Materials
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
The University of Chicago Social and Behavioral Sciences IRB
IRB Approval Date
2019-10-03
IRB Approval Number
IRB19-1444
Analysis Plan

Post-Trial

Post Trial Information

Study Withdrawal

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Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
No
Data Collection Complete
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

Program Files
Reports, Papers & Other Materials

Relevant Paper(s)

Reports & Other Materials