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 261 - 270 of 284 | Export entire research library
How does the built environment affect teenagers (aged 13-14) physical activity and fitness? A cross-sectional analysis of the ACTIVE Project
James, Michaela
This study shows that fitness and physical activity are not correlated. Teenagers who had higher levels of activity also had higher levels of sedentary time/inactivity. Teenagers showed higher amounts of moderate- to-vigorous physical activity if…
Keywords:
Demographic Inequities in Health Outcomes and Air Pollution Exposure in the Atlanta Area and its Relationship to Urban Infrastructure
Servadio, Joseph L
The statistical model showed areas with majority
African-American populations had significantly higher
exposure to both air pollutants and higher prevalence of
each disease. When considering univariate associations
between…
Keywords: Air pollution, Cardiovascular disease, Respiratory disease, Inequity, Racial disparity, Infrastructure
The Impact of Schoolyard Greening on Children’s Physical Activity and Socioemotional Health: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies
Bikomeye, Jean C
Examination of the eligible studies revealed a general consensus on the positive impact of schoolyard greening on both physical activity and socioemotional health outcomes for students, suggesting that schoolyard greening is a viable intervention in…
Keywords: Green space, Nature, Schoolyard greening, Physical activity, Socioemotional health, Mental health, Child health, Experimental design, Pre-post study design, Health equity
Indoor air quality in schools of a highly polluted south Mediterranean area
Ruggieri, Silvia
Temperature and RH were within, or close to, the comfort range, while CO2 frequently exceeded the threshold of 1000 ppm, indicating inadequate air exchange rate. In all the classrooms, median NO2 levels were above the WHO threshold value.…
Keywords: Air pollution, Der p 1, Endotoxins, Heavy metals, Indoor comfort parameters, Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5)
Perceived indoor air quality in naturally ventilated primary schools in the UK: Impact of environmental variables and thermal sensation
Korsavi, Sepideh Sadat
Results show that air sensation votes (ASVs) are more correlated to CO2 levels than to operative temperatures (Top) during non-heating seasons and more correlated to Top than CO2 levels during heating seasons. The impact of Top on A SVs decreases…
Keywords: Air sensation votes, Children's perception, CO2 levels, Indoor air quality, Natural ventilation, Operative temperature
Evernia Goes to School: Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals and Photosynthetic Performance in Lichen Transplants Exposed Indoors and Outdoors in Public and Private Environments
Paoli, Luca
he content of heavy metals increased in samples exposed outdoors for 11 out of 12 elements (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, S, Sb, V and Zn, but not Ca) in the urban area and for 5 (As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Sb) in the rural area. Indoor concentrations were…
Keywords: Biomonitoring, Chlorophyll fluorescence, Citizen science, Evernia prunastri, Exposed to control ration, Indoor pollution
Impact of indoor air pollution in nursery and primary schools on childhood asthma
Branco, Pedro
This study found no evidence of a significant
association between IAP in nursery and primary schools and the prevalence of childhood asthma. However, reported
active wheezing was associated with higher NO2, and reduced FEV1 was…
Keywords: Children, Exposure, Inhaled dose, Indoor air, School, Asthma
Organic Air Quality Markers of Indoor and Outdoor
PM
2.5
Aerosols in Primary Schools from Barcelona
van Drooge, Barend
Traffic emissions were the main
contributors of PAHs to the atmospheres in all schools, with higher average concentrations in those
located downtown (1800–2700 pg/m3) than in the periphery (760–1000 pg/m3). The similarity of
the…
Keywords: Primary schools, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS), Trap, Indoor air quality, Playgrounds, Organic aerosol
Indoor environmental quality andlearning outcomes: protocol on large-scale sensor deployment inschools
Temprano, Juan Palacios
From the first pilot study, we conclude that the exact
placement of sensors in a classroom does not affect the
ability of the sensor to accurately measure indoor environmental
conditions. The additional information content
…
Keywords:
Perceived indoor air quality and psychosocial work environment in office, school and health care environments in Finland
TÄHTINEN, KATJA
The employees reported symptoms and environmental discomfort in office environments less often than in school or health care environments. The most often reported IE-related complaints were stuffy air (39% of respondents), dry air (34%) and…
Keywords: Indoor air questionnaire, School, Health care, Perceived indoor environment, Reference material, Offices