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 221 - 230 of 680 | Export entire research library
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
Particulate matter was measured in seven schools in northeast Spain. Rural schools had lower PM2.5 and large particle levels, while industrial sites showed highest coarse particles. Indoor and outdoor sources both influenced classroom air quality.
Keywords: Indoor airborne particles, Primary schools, Statistical analysis, Ceramic hub, Mediterranean basin
CO2 concentration monitoring inside educational buildings as a strategic tool to reduce the risk of Sars-CoV-2 airborne transmission
Di Gilio, Alessia
Real-time CO₂ monitoring was used in 11 Italian classrooms to assess and improve ventilation. Despite open windows, most rooms exceeded safe CO₂ levels. A tailored protocol with visible CO₂ data helped achieve better air exchange and reduce…
Keywords: carbon dioxide (CO₂), COVID-19, SARS-COV-2 transmission risk mitigation, Indoor ventilation conditions, School re-opening, NDIR sensor
Asthma symptoms and respiratory infections in Malaysian students-associations with ethnicity and chemical exposure at home and school
Norback, Dan
Malaysian junior high study linked home painting and indoor para-dichlorobenzene to asthma and infections. VOCs and ethnic differences influenced risk, suggesting school/home chemical exposures may drive respiratory symptoms in tropical climates.
Keywords: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Para-dichlorobenzene, Ethylbenzene, School environment, Asthma, Respiratory infections
Factors affecting variability in gaseous and particle microenvironmental air pollutant concentrations in Hong Kong primary and secondary schools
Che, Wenwei
In 32 Hong Kong schools, indoor PM and gas levels were largely driven by outdoor concentrations. Outdoor air accounted for 50-90% of indoor pollution. Findings support targeting ambient pollution and infiltration control to protect children’s health.
Keywords: fine particulate matter (PM2.5), Indoor air quality , Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3), respirable particulate matter (PM10), School exposure
Characterization and source identification of fine dust in Seoul elementary school classrooms
Heo, Sujeong
In high-traffic Seoul schools, indoor PM2.5 was lower than outdoors, though carbon levels were higher indoors. Source analysis showed 58.5% of indoor PM2.5 came from outside. Findings inform urban planning to reduce school air pollution exposure.
Keywords: School air quality, Particulate matter (PM), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), Emission source, Chemical constituent
Dampness and student-reported social climate: two multilevel mediation models
Finell, Eerika
Using national data from 222 schools, this study found that mould and dampness indirectly worsened teacher-student relationships and class spirit by lowering perceived indoor air quality. Addressing IAQ may help improve school social climate.
Keywords: Indoor air quality , Class spirit, Multilevel analysis, Teacher-student relationships, Indoor environmental problems, Mold, Dampness
Air quality around schools: Part I - Air quality around schools: Part I - A comprehensive literature review across high-income countries comprehensive literature review across high-income countries
Osborne, Stephanie
This UK-based review of 100 studies found that outdoor air pollution near schools peaks during commutes and at school gates. Traffic is a key source. Recommendations include clean air zones, green barriers, and safer school siting and scheduling.
Keywords: Outdoor air pollution, School, children, Exposure, Commuting
Associations between the indoor microbiome, environmental characteristics and respiratory infections in junior high school students of Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Fu, Xi
Surveyed 308 Malaysian students and classroom dust microbiomes to examine links to respiratory infections. Found protective bacterial and fungal taxa; HDM and NO₂ effects were mediated by microbes, highlighting environmental-microbiome-health…
Keywords: None listed by authors
Characterising and communicating the potential hazard posed by potentially toxic elements in indoor dusts from schools across Lagos, Nigeria
Famuyiwa, Abimola
PTEs in Lagos classroom dust were measured via ED-XRF and ICP-OES with bioaccessibility analysis. Most samples showed low health risk. Pb, Zn, and Cu were mainly anthropogenic. Findings support safer exposure assessments and environmental education.
Keywords: None listed by authors
Effect of School Integrated Pest Management or Classroom Air Filter Purifiers on Asthma Symptoms in Students With Active Asthma: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Phipatanakul, Wanda
In a randomized trial of 236 students with asthma, neither school-wide IPM nor classroom HEPA purifiers significantly reduced asthma symptom-days. Findings suggest limited standalone benefit from these interventions in school settings.
Keywords: None listed by authors