Using
a regression discontinuity design based on distance from the Huai
River, we find that ambient concentrations of TSPs are about 184
μg/m3 [95% confidence interval (CI): 61, 307] or 55% higher in the
north. Further, the results indicate that life expectancies are about
5.5 y (95% CI: 0.8, 10.2) lower in the north owing to an increased
incidence of cardiorespiratory mortality. More generally, the analysis
suggests that long-term exposure to an additional 100 μg/m3
of TSPs is associated with a reduction in life expectancy at birth of
about 3.0 y (95% CI: 0.4, 5.6)