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The environmental Kuznets curve for US counties: A spatial econometric analysis with extensions *
Author(s) -
Rupasingha Anil,
Goetz Stephan J.,
Debertin David L.,
Pagoulatos Angelos
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
papers in regional science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.937
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1435-5957
pISSN - 1056-8190
DOI - 10.1111/j.1435-5597.2004.tb01915.x
Subject(s) - kuznets curve , econometric analysis , economics , econometric model , econometrics , geography
. We examine the relationship between county per capita income and toxic pollutants using a comprehensive model of the Environmental Kuznets Curve. The model incorporates ethnic diversity, spatial effects and most independent variables used in previous studies. Initial results suggest that the relationship follows an inverted‐U‐shape. However, incorporation of a cubic term for income reveals that toxic pollution eventually increases again as income continues to rise. Ethnic diversity and spatial effects are found to be important in understanding toxic pollution in US counties. We also detect an EKC‐type relationship with respect to income inequality.