Indoor Air Quality, Information, and Socio-Economic Status: Evidence from Delhi

Delhi faces some of the world’s highest concentrations PM2.5, most damaging form air pollution. Although awareness outdoor pollution is rising across world, there limited information on indoor (IAP) levels, particularly in heavily polluted cities like Delhi. Even less evidence exists how IAP varies by socio-economic status (SES), and whether or not addressing gaps can change defensive investments against IAP. In this paper, we deploy Indoor Air Quality Monitors (IAQMs) thousands households varying strata order to document levels during peak wintertime period. Across high low SES households, PM2.5 that are: (1) extraordinarily — more than 20 times World Health Organization (WHO) standards; (2) only 10 percent lower (versus low) households; (3) significantly higher reported nearest, government monitors, main source public setting. We then report a field experiment randomly assigned IAQMs, as well an opportunity rent purifier at subsidized price, medium homes 2019-20 winter season.