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HERO ID
3012256
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
The intensive margin of technology adoption--Experimental evidence on improved cooking stoves in rural Senegal
Author(s)
Bensch, G; Peters, J
Year
2015
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Journal of Health Economics
ISSN:
0167-6296
Volume
42
Page Numbers
44-63
Language
English
PMID
25841214
DOI
10.1016/j.jhealeco.2015.03.006
Web of Science Id
WOS:000357230400005
Abstract
Today, almost 3 billion people in developing countries rely on biomass as primary cooking fuel, with profound negative implications for their well-being. Improved biomass cooking stoves are alleged to counteract these adverse effects. This paper evaluates take-up and impacts of low-cost improved stoves through a randomized controlled trial. The randomized stove is primarily designed to curb firewood consumption, but not smoke emissions. Nonetheless, we find considerable effects not only on firewood consumption, but also on smoke exposure and, consequently, smoke-related disease symptoms. The reduced smoke exposure results from behavioural changes in terms of increased outside cooking and a reduction in cooking time. We conclude that in order to assess the effectiveness of a technology-oriented intervention, it is critical to not only account for the incidence of technology adoption - the extensive margin - but also for the way the new technology is used - the intensive margin.
Keywords
Household air pollution; Energy access; Technology adoption; Development economics; Biomass fuel
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