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 161 - 170 of 680 | Export entire research library
Associations Between School Characteristics and Classroom Radon Concentrations in Utah's Public Schools: A Project Completed by University Environmental Health Students
Davis, Elizabeth
Radon was measured in 2,289 Utah classrooms; 2% exceeded EPA action levels. Older HVAC systems and school size influenced radon levels. Running and updating HVAC systems can reduce radon exposure, aiding lung cancer prevention.
Keywords: Environmental, Exposure assessment, Occupational, Radon, School
Application of data science methods to identify school and home risk factors for asthma and allergy-related symptoms among children in New York
Deng, Xinlei
Using machine learning on data from 10 NY schools, family rhinitis, pollen, and bedroom carpet were key risk factors for asthma and allergies. Hot-water radiator use was linked to reduced asthma. Combined exposures increased risk, highlighting…
Keywords: Asthma, Allergy, Home and school environment, Machine learning, Risk factors
Associations between road traffic noise exposure at home and school and ADHD in school-aged children: The TRAILS study
Zijlema, W.L.
In 1,710 Dutch children, residential and school traffic noise showed no harmful links to ADHD symptoms; noise was linked to slightly lower ADHD diagnosis risk, possibly due to bias. Further longitudinal studies on noise and ADHD are needed.
Keywords: Attention defcit/hyperactivity disorder, Road traffic noise, Adolescents, Child health, Cross-sectional study
Chemical Composition of JUUL Pods Collected From Students in California High Schools
Shamout, Mays
JUUL pods collected from 16 California high schools showed nicotine and VG levels inconsistent with commercial products, suggesting possible consumer modification or counterfeit use among students.
Keywords: electronic nicotine delivery systems, Nicotine, Tobacco, Adolescents, Students, School, Curriculum
Classrooms' indoor environmental conditions affecting the academic achievement of students and teachers in higher education: A systematic literature review
Brink, Henk W.
A review of 21 studies found indoor air, thermal, acoustic, and lighting quality positively affect students’ learning and short-term academic performance in higher education. Optimal conditions vary by task, guiding facility management decisions.
Keywords: Academic performance, Facility management, Indoor environmental quality, Quality of teaching and learning, School design
Association between indoor microbiome exposure and sick building syndrome (SBS) in junior high schools of Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Fu, Xi
In 308 Malaysian students, classroom dust microbiome profiling found eight bacterial and fungal genera associated with sick building syndrome symptoms. Higher humidity and dampness increased risk bacteria, revealing complex links between indoor…
Keywords: Indoor microbiome, Sick building syndrome, School, Malaysia, Bacteria, Fungi
A primary school driven initiative to influence commuting style for dropping-off and picking-up of pupils
Kumar, Prashant
Smart sensing and citizen science showed school drop-off car queues tripled PM2.5 levels outdoors, impacting indoor air in a naturally ventilated classroom. Results can guide safer school commuting and improved ventilation strategies.
Keywords: Citizen science, Smart citizen kids, Community engagement, Air pollution exposure, Iscape project
Passive PM2.5 control plan of educational buildings by using airtight improvement technologies in South Korea
Yang, Sungwoong
Blower door tests in educational buildings showed that applying sealing films, lids, and padding reduced air leakage by 37% and indoor fine dust by 22%. Findings support low-cost airtightness improvements to reduce particulate infiltration.
Keywords: Particulate matter (PM), School, Educational buildings, Air-tightness, Infiltration
The Influence of Traffic-Related Air Pollution (TRAP) in Primary Schools and Residential Proximity to Traffic Sources on Histone H3 Level in Selected Malaysian Children
Suhaimi, Nur Faseeha
Malaysian children in high-traffic schools showed higher exposure to multiple pollutants and elevated salivary histone H3 levels, suggesting histone modification as a non-genotoxic marker of traffic-related air pollution effects.
Keywords: Traffic-related air pollution, Primary schools, Vulnerable population, Indoor air quality , Histone h3
Time-Resolved Characterization of Indoor Air Quality due to Human Activity and Likely Outdoor Sources during Early Evening Secondary School Wrestling Matches
Shendell, Derek
A 14-month study in NJ high school gyms found elevated PM10 and PM2.5 levels during wrestling matches linked to resuspended dust and high occupancy; CO2 often exceeded 1000 ppm, highlighting ventilation and air quality concerns during indoor sports.
Keywords: None listed by authors