William H. Farquhar Middle School, Olney, MD. Photo credit: Patrick Ross
School Health Research Library
We have curated a library of peer-reviewed scientific studies from around the world published since 2016, focusing on the school built environment and occupant health and performance. This research builds on the 2017 Schools for Health: Foundations for Student Success report released by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health that synthesizes foundational research about school indoor environmental quality impacts on students and staff.
To help translate this research into action in schools, we have compiled School Health Research Highlights to help school staff and leaders access key findings and actionable strategies on priority topics.
Displaying 111 - 120 of 585 | Export entire research library
Toxicity Assessment of 91-Day Repeated Inhalation Exposure to an Indoor School Air Mixture of PCBs
Wang, Hui
Experimental study exposed rats to school-simulated airborne PCBs over 91 days; observed neurobehavioral, immune, metabolic, and gene expression impacts, emphasizing school air PCB exposure as a health concern.
Keywords: Aroclor, Inhalation toxicity, Metabolomics, Neurotoxicity, Polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, School indoor air quality, Long-term exposure
Asthma Prevalence and Mold Levels in US Northeastern Schools
Howard, Evin J.
Observational study compared mold levels in 32 northeastern US schools using ERMI index; found links between mold, building features, and asthma prevalence, supporting targeted environmental interventions.
Keywords: Asthma, ERMI, Mold, Northeast, Schools, Homes
A Multidisciplinary Research Framework on Green Schools: Infrastructure, Social Environment, Occupant Health, and Performance
Magzamen, Sheryl
Nonsystematic review developed a multidisciplinary framework linking sustainable school design, social climate, health, and performance; highlights policy need for evidence beyond energy cost savings.
Keywords: Sustainable schools, Indoor environmental quality, Indoor air quality, Occupant health, Occupant performance
The classroom microbiome and asthma morbidity in children attending three inner-city schools
Lai, Peggy S.
Pilot randomized trial in 25 children compared school vs home microbiomes; classroom diversity linked to asthma symptoms, supporting microbial-focused environmental health interventions.
Keywords: Asthma, Schools, Environment, microbiome, Shotgun metagenomics sequencing
Indoor CO₂ concentrations and cognitive function: A critical review
Du, Bowen
Review synthesized findings from 37 studies on indoor CO₂ exposure and cognitive performance, highlighting methodological gaps; calls for policy-guided research to establish safe exposure limits in schools.
Keywords:
Transferring from moisture damaged school building to clean facilities: The avoidance of mold exposure induces a decline in symptoms and improvement in lung function among personnel
Vilen, Liisa
Case study followed 45 Finnish school staff before and after relocation from moisture-damaged school; spirometry and nitric oxide tests showed symptom relief, supporting public health policy to move from damaged environments.
Keywords: Indoor air quality , Pulmonary function, Occupational exposure, Occupational, Workplace, Schools
Teacher respiratory health symptoms in relation to school and home environment
Lin, Shao
Cross-sectional study of 104 Romanian teachers using SINPHONIE questionnaire; asthma, allergy, respiratory infections linked to indoor air quality perceptions and policies. Findings highlight urgent need for school environmental health interventions.
Keywords: Teacher, School environment, Home environment, Policies, Respiratory health
Indoor carbon dioxide concentrations in Croatian elementary school classrooms during the heating season
Brdarić, Dario
Measured CO2 levels in 60 Croatian elementary school classrooms during the heating season; all exceeded WHO limits, showing poor ventilation. Results call for multidisciplinary solutions to improve indoor air quality.
Keywords: Carbon dioxide (CO2), Indoor air quality, Ventilation
Diurnal variation and potential sources of indoor formaldehyde at elementary school, high school and university in the Centre Val de Loire region of France
Hu, Dawei
High-resolution PTR-ToF-MS measured formaldehyde (HCHO) in French classrooms (10.96–17.95 μg/m³); ventilation reduced HCHO by up to 38%; VOC reactions and smoking were key sources. Findings support ventilation strategies to control school indoor air…
Keywords: Indoor air quality
The Impact of Air Filtration Units on Primary School Students’ Indoor Exposure to Particulate Matter in China
Tong, Zheming
Field experiment compared air filtration unit impacts on PM₂.₅ exposure in Chinese primary school classrooms; findings guide ventilation strategies and public health decisions.
Keywords: Air filtration unit, Ventilation, Classrooms, China, PM 2.5, IAQ