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 191 - 200 of 680 | Export entire research library
Daylight and School Performance in European Schoolchildren
Baloch, R.M.
In 2,670 European children, daylighting factors—window shading, orientation, glazing, and window-to-floor ratio—positively correlated with math and logic test scores, highlighting the importance of classroom daylight for academic performance.
Keywords: Illuminance, Natural light, Indoor air quality , School, Performance
Teachers' work-related non-literature-known building-related symptoms are also connected to indoor toxicity: A cross-sectional study
Salin, Janne
In 231 Finnish teachers, work-related symptoms were 2.9 times higher in classrooms with toxic dust and 1.8 times higher with toxic microbes, linking indoor environmental toxicity to broader health complaints beyond classical building-related…
Keywords: Building related symptoms, Indoor toxicity, Microbial toxins, Mitochondrial dysfunction, Mitochondrial toxicity, Sick building syndrome
Ventilation: Why does no one take it seriously?
Sundell, Jan
Ventilation is highlighted as a vital public health issue often ignored. Jan Sundell developed the 0.5 ACH standard and warned poor design and maintenance harm health. Despite advances, ventilation remains undervalued worldwide—a lesson amplified by…
Keywords: None listed by authors
Study on Characteristics of Particulate Matter Resuspension in School Classroom through Experiments Using a Simulation Chamber: Influence of Humidity
Cho, Sunghee
Classroom chamber experiments showed that PM resuspension from walking decreases linearly as humidity rises (R²=0.88 for PM10, 0.93 for PM2.5), indicating humidity’s key role in reducing particulate exposure risks in schools.
Keywords: Particulate matter (PM), Resuspension, Relative humidity, Resuspension factor, Occupants’ activity, Classrooms
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
Student Health Implications of School Closures during the COVID-19 Pandemic: New Evidence on the Association of e-Learning, Outdoor Exercise, and Myopia
Liu, J.
Study of 3,405 Chinese children linked increased e-learning screen time and improper lighting with higher myopia risk, while outdoor exercise reduced risk. Findings highlight vision impacts of COVID-19 e-learning and call for mitigation strategies.
Keywords: E-learning, Youth and children health, Visual health, Myopia, COVID-19
Self-reported voice disorders of teachers and indoor air quality in schools: a cross-sectional study in Finland
Buonocore, Jonathan
Questionnaires and technical assessments of 538 Finnish teachers linked poor indoor air quality and renovated buildings with increased voice disorders. Findings suggest the need for longitudinal studies on renovation impacts on teacher health.
Keywords: Voice disorder, Teachers, School buildings, Work environment, Indoor air, Technical assessment, Perceived, Complaints
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
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
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