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 201 - 210 of 355 | Export entire research library
Toxicity of airborne dust as an indicator of moisture problems in school buildings
Tirkonnen, Jenni
The teachers working in the moisture-damaged schools reported respiratory symptoms such as cough (p = 0.01) and shortness of breath (p = 0.01) more often than teachers from reference schools. Toxicity of the PM sample as such did not differentiate…
Keywords: Indoor air, Moisture damage, Particulate matter (PM), School, Toxicity, In vitro
Use of CALPUFF to predict airborne Mn levels at schools in an urban area impacted by a nearby manganese alloy plant
Oter-Pregigueiro, Daniel
Results show that when the emission scenario that best represented the observations dataset is used, the air Mn levels exceed the WHO guideline (i.e. 150 ng Mn/m3) in 24% and 11% of the studied schools in the cold and warm periods respectively.…
Keywords: Atmospheric manganese, Children, School, Dispersion modelling, Calpuff
Multi-route exposure sampling of quaternary ammonium compounds and ethanol surface disinfectants in a K-8 school
Boles, Corey
Both tested products were approximately equally effective at reducing bioburdens on desk surfaces. In some classrooms, concentrations of QAC congeners were significantly increased on desk surfaces following the application of the disinfectant spray…
Keywords: Disinfection, Ethanol, Exposure, Health effects, QACS, School
A systematic approach to quantify the influence of indoor environmental parameters on students' perceptions, responses, and short-term academic performance
Brink HW
During the pilot study, the IEQ of the classrooms varied slightly. Significant associations (p < 0.05) were observed between these natural variations and students' perceptions of the thermal environment and indoor air quality. These…
Keywords: Performance, Classrooms' indoor environmental quality, Health, Higher education, Student responses, Quality of learning
Indoor air pollution effects on pediatric asthma are submicron aerosol particle-dependent
Justine, Izabele
The incidence of asthma per school ranged from 1.8 to 6.0%. Mean indoor air pollution based on measurements in classrooms during the lessons was calculated for each school. Levels of PNC and PMC in schools ranged between 33.0 and 168.0 particles/cm3…
Keywords: Asthma, Indoor aerosol pollution, Particle number concentration, Particle mass concentration, Particle size range, Primary schools, Children
Does dampness and mold in schools affect health? Results of a meta-analysis
Fisk, William J
The evidence of adverse health effects was strongest for cough and wheeze, which had confidence limits excluding unity in some or all analyses. The odds ratios of 1.32 for cough and 1.68 for wheeze suggest moderate increases in health risk. Studies…
Keywords: Dampness, Health, Meta-analysis, Mold, Respiratory, School
School attendance and daily respiratory symptoms in children: influence of moisture damage
Casas, L
We combined country-specific estimates (incidence rate ratios [IRRs] and 95% confidence interval [CI]) in meta-analyses. Symptom scores were lower during weekends and holiday. Lower respiratory tract symptoms were statistically significantly less…
Keywords: Children, Daily symptoms, Dampness, Mild, Respiratory health, School anttendance
Investigation of CO2 production depending on physical activity of students
Kapalo, Peter
Results of objective measurements confirmed strong correlation between CO2
concentration occupancy for all measurements. Recommended value for indoor CO2
level according to Pettenkofer (1,000 ppm) was exceeding in 60.9%. Results of…
Keywords: Educational buildings, Indoor environment, Carbon dioxide (CO2), Physical activity
A multi-layered strategy for COVID-19 infection prophylaxis in schools: A review of the evidence for masks, distancing, and ventilation
McLeod, Robert S.
In the presence of increasingly infectious SARS-Cov-2 variants, in-classroom teaching can only be safely maintained through a layered strategy combining multiple protective measures. The precise measures that are needed at any point in time depend…
Keywords: Air purification, Infraction prophylaxis in school classrooms, Masking and physical distancing, Mechanical ventilation, Natural ventilation
Indoor Air Pollution and the Health of Vulnerable Groups: A Systematic Review Focused on Particulate Matter (PM), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Their Effects on Children and People with Pre-Existing Lung Disease
Maung, Tun Z
There was an association between PM and Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO), lung function, oxygen saturation, childhood asthma and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. High VOCs were associated with upper airways…
Keywords: Particulate matter (PM), Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Vulnerable groups, Indoor air quality