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 211 - 220 of 355 | Export entire research library
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
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
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
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
Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases demonstration project: aerosol pollution and its seasonal peculiarities in primary schools of Vilnius
Prokopciuk, Nina
During all seasons, local cafeterias in the absence of ventilation were the main sources of the elevated levels of indoor PMC and PNC (up to 97,500 particles/cm3). The other sources of airborne particulates were the children’s activity during the…
Keywords: Children, Indoor aerosols, Pollution levels, Primary schools, Systematic and occasional sources, Ventilation
Distribution Levels of Particulate Matter Fractions (<2.5 µm, 2.5–10 µm and >10 µm) at Seven Primary Schools in a European Ceramic Cluster
Pallarés, Susana
The lowest concentrations of fine particulate matter, less than 2.5 µm, were registered at the rural location. The values of these particles found in industrial and urban locations were not substantially different. In the case of particulate matter…
Keywords: Indoor airborne particles, Primary schools, Statistical analysis, Ceramic hub, Mediterranean basin
Understanding teachers' experiences of ventilation in California K-12 classrooms and implications for supporting safe operation of schools in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
Sanguinetti, Angela
Teachers were not educated regarding mechanical ventilation. Errors in HVAC system installation and programming contributed to misunderstandings (because mechanical ventilation was often not performing as it should) and even occasionally made it…
Keywords: Air quality, Classrooms, Occupant perceptions, Thermal comfort, Ventilation
Relationship between indoor and outdoor size-fractionated particulate matter in urban microenvironments: Levels, chemical composition and sources
Martins, Vânia
The pattern of PM mass size distribution was dependent on the location (home vs. school and indoor vs. outdoor). The presence of EC in PM0.25 and OC in PM0.25–0.5 was linked to traffic exhaust emissions. Generally, the concentrations of mineral and…
Keywords: Home, School, Indoor/outdoor air, Size-segregated particles, Chemical elements, Children exposure
Effectiveness of a Protocol to Reduce Children's Exposure to Particulate Matter and NO2 in Schools during Alert Days
Zauli-Sajani
The application of the protocol reduced the indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio for all toxic pollutants. The reduction was also remarkable for PM10—the most critical air quality parameter in the study area (1.5 and 1.1 for non-alert and alert days,…
Keywords: School, Indoor air quality, Prevention, Particulate matter (PM), Server air pollution episodes
Investigation of the PM2.5, NO2 and O3 I/O ratios for office and school microenvironments
Kalimeri, Krysallia, K.
The PM2.5 I/O ratio varied from 0.20 to 9.29, with mean PM2.5 I/O ratio equal to 1.44 ± 1.01 (mean ± σ value). In schools only 41% of the I/O ratios are equal or below unity, in contrast with the offices present data (97%). PM2.5 I/O ratios above…
Keywords: Fine particles, Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3), Offices, School