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<p>This dissertation examines the potential of information-provision in motivating
behavior that reduces human exposure to arsenic in drinking-water in Bangladesh. In
chapter 2, the longer-term effects of the countrywide arsenic-testing and information-program
are examined by tracking tube-well switching behavior of households over a five-year
period. Chapter 3 focuses on the effects of arsenic information communication formats
on tube-well switching behavior, by employing a randomized field experiment. In chapter
4, an instrumental variables approach is used to understand whether a household's
decision to switch sources is affected by its proximate neighbors' decisions to switch
sources. To answer these questions, primary data was collected by the researchers
through field-work in Bangladesh. The results suggest that arsenic-testing and information-provision
programs produce persistent behavioral changes that reduce exposure to arsenic, with
their impact increasing over time. Comparing the impacts of risk-communication formats,
we find that quantitative formats do not significantly increase source-switching behavior,
in comparison to that generated by qualitative formats. Lastly, despite econometric
identification issues, our data suggest that households gather information about source-switching
by observing the actions of their neighbors. In sum, the results presented in this
dissertation suggest that the provision of information to rural households can motivate
health-improving behavior that reduces households' exposure to arsenic in Bangladesh.
This dissertation contributes to the use of information disclosure as a policy instrument
to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants.</p>
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