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 271 - 280 of 284 | Export entire research library
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
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
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
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
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)
Indoor air quality and the associated health risk in primary school buildings in Central Europe - The InAirQ study
Szabados, Máté
Hazard quotient values were below the threshold value of 1 with one exception. In contrast, 31% of the school buildings were characterized by hazard index values higher than 1. The maximum cumulative ratio approach highlighted that the concern for…
Keywords:
Preventing Myopia
Lagrèze, Wolf A
The risk of myopia is lowered by exposure to day-
light and increased by activities performed at short visual
distances (close-up work). A person with little exposure to
daylight has a fivefold risk of developing myopia, which…
Keywords:
Effect of Classroom Illuminance on the Development and Progression of Myopia in School Children
Suh, Young-Woo
The amount of change in spherical equivalent and AL after 6 months were not different between the two schools. Initial prevalence of myopia was high in the HD school. However, it became similar between the two schools after 6 months. The mean AL of…
Keywords: Child health, Myopia, Ocular vision, Public health
Daylight and School Performance in European Schoolchildren
Baloch, R.M
A positive relationship was found between performance scores and type of window shading, latitude, percentage of window facing south, and window glazing, with the highest impact due to the window-to-floor area ratio. Data collected in the SINPHONIE…
Keywords: Illuminance, Natural light, Indoor air quality, School, Performance
Photokeratitis Linked to Metal Halide Bulbs in Two Gymnasiums - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2011 and 2013
Finn, Lauren E
In the first cluster reported, 242 persons developed
photokeratitis following exposure to a single compromised
metal halide bulb, and in the second, as few as 30 minutes of
exposure to a metal halide bulb with a broken outer…
Keywords: