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 21 - 30 of 680 | Export entire research library
Assessing indoor air quality of school environments: transplanted lichen Pseudovernia furfuracea as a new tool for biomonitoring and bioaccumulation
Protano, Carmela
Lichen P. furfuracea was used to monitor metals and PAHs in five school environments. Indoor and outdoor exposures showed it is effective for detecting pollution differences, offering a cost-effective, child-friendly air quality monitoring method.
Keywords: Indoor air quality , School, Heavy metals, Persistent organic pollutants, Biomonitoring, Lichen
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in Portuguese educational settings: a comparison between preschools and elementary schools
Slezakova, Klara
PAHs were measured in indoor and outdoor air at 2 preschools and 5 elementary schools in Portugal. Indoor PAHs posed a greater share of lifetime cancer risk, though overall ILCRs were below USEPA thresholds, highlighting a need for indoor air…
Keywords: None listed by authors
Estimation of students' exposure to metal concentrations from river-dust episodes during 1994-2012
Yang, Hao-Jan
Indoor and outdoor PM10 and metal levels (As, Ni, Cr, Cd, Mn) were monitored at two Taiwanese elementary schools near river-dust sources. Strong correlations with outdoor pollution suggest students face measurable exposure during dust episodes.
Keywords: None listed by authors
Key Factors Determining Indoor Air PM10 Concentrations in Naturally Ventilated Primary Schools in Belgrade, Serbia
Matic, Branislava
IAQ and PM10 were measured over 5 days in 44 classrooms with 735 children. High PM10 was linked to overcrowding, poor ventilation, and thermal discomfort. Results support improved ventilation and space standards to reduce exposure in primary schools.
Keywords: Indoor air quality , Classrooms, Particulate matter (PM), respirable particulate matter (PM10), Primary schools, Exposure, Serbia
School Environmental Intervention Programs
Permaul, Perdita
Indoor allergens and pollutants contribute to asthma, especially in inner-city children. School exposures are underrecognized. School-based interventions may offer cost-effective relief, highlighting the need for practical, evidence-based solutions.
Keywords: Asthma, Environment, Allergy, Pollutants, Inner-city, Home, School, Intervention, Integrated pest management
Building-related symptoms are linked to the in vitro toxicity of indoor dust and airborne microbial propagules in schools: A cross-sectional study
Salin, J.T.
Dust samples from Helsinki classrooms were tested for toxicity using boar sperm motility assays. Teachers in classrooms with higher in vitro toxicity reported significantly more building-related symptoms, suggesting a potential diagnostic tool.
Keywords: Building-related symptoms, Indoor dust, Airborne toxicity, Sperm motility, Indoor toxicity
Pilot study of a novel classroom designed to prevent myopia by increasing children's exposure to outdoor light
Zhou, Zhongqiang
Light levels in a glass Bright Classroom were compared to traditional and outdoor settings over one year. The BC had higher light intensity and blue-spectrum similarity to outdoors. Teachers and students preferred it, supporting its use for myopia…
Keywords: None listed by authors
Respiratory symptoms and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) among students in Penang, Malaysia in relation to signs of dampness at school and fungal DNA in school dust
Norback, Dan
FeNO, symptoms, and fungal DNA were assessed in 368 Malaysian students from 32 classrooms. Dampness and Aspergillus versicolor in dust were linked to wheeze, asthma, infections, and high FeNO, suggesting fungal exposure may impair respiratory health.
Keywords: Fungal dna, Building dampness, School environment, Asthma, Mold, children
Asthma symptoms among Chinese children: the role of ventilation and PM10 exposure at school and home
Fan, X-J
Questionnaire and pollutant data from 2134 students in Taiyuan linked home exposures (dampness, ETS, renovations) and school PM₁₀, CO₂, and humidity to increased wheeze, cough, and infections. Improved air quality may reduce respiratory symptoms.
Keywords: Asthmatic symptoms, Dampness, Particulate matter (PM), Respiratory infections, School students
School Environmental Intervention to Reduce Particulate Pollutant Exposures for Children with Asthma
Jhun, Iny
A pilot RCT in 18 classrooms tested air cleaners for children with asthma. PM2.5 and black carbon were reduced by over 40% in intervention rooms. Modest improvements in peak flow suggest school-based filtration may reduce pollutant exposure risk.
Keywords: Asthma, Indoor air quality , Environmental intervention