Objectives

STATEMENT OF INTENT​

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Our objective is to discover the effect of chronic exposure to excessive fluoride. Fluoride is found naturally in groundwater throughout the world, and these high concentrations have steep negative health, cognitive, and economic effects. We will measure levels of the fluoride in the local people through biomarkers, and study the economic outcomes on household, such as contributions to the labor supply.  Our extensive cognitive tests will help us measure how the cognitive development of children compares across areas with low or high incidence of fluorosis. A long-term goal of our research is to discover the efficacy of various remediation technologies. In this project, our intervention will consist of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) which involves administering a water filter randomly to different households to discover the effectiveness and costs associated with this mitigation strategy.

GEOLOGY
GEOLOGY

Subterraneous rock formations can impart fluoride into groundwater, and we want to demonstrate that geology has a real effect on people through drinking water

ECONOMICS
ECONOMICS

We seek to measure the effect of fluoride on economic outcomes, through indicators such as labor supply and time use of mothers, and to link these to one's environment.

COGNITION
COGNITION

Our research will help to discern the effects of fluoride on cognition and the pathways through which these outcomes are created.

remediation image
FILTERS

Filter intervention is a crucial step which will enable us to further evaluate the effect and causality of fluoride on economic outcomes and cognitive impairment.

THEORY OF CHANGE

We believe we can make a difference in the lives of those afflicted by chronic exposure to unsafe levels of fluoride. The diagram below illustrates the pathways through which we hope to effect change.

theory of change