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 680 | Export entire research library
Combined effects of ventilation rates and indoor temperatures on cognitive performance of female higher education students in a hot climate
Ahmed, R.
This study found female students’ cognitive performance improves at indoor temperatures of 20-23°C and CO2 levels around 600 ppm, indicating that optimal ventilation and thermal control enhance learning in educational buildings during short-term…
Keywords: Air-conditioned buildings, Cognitive performance, Educational buildings, Hot climates, Indoor air quality , Ventilation
Children's effortful control skills, but not their prosocial skills, relate to their reactions to classroom noise
Jessica Massonie
This study links noise sensitivity in elementary children to lower effortful control skills but not prosocial skills, highlighting that children with weaker self-regulation may be more vulnerable to classroom noise and its impact on learning.
Keywords: Noise, Noise sensitivity, Health, children, Classrooms, Attention, Distraction, Annoyance, Temperament, Prosocial skills
Assessment of indoor and outdoor air quality in primary schools of Cyprus during the COVID-19 pandemic measures in May-July 2021
Konstantinou, Corina
The STEPS study in Cyprus primary schools assessed indoor air quality during COVID-19 protocols, finding high temperatures and PM2.5 exceedances. Ventilation reduced CO2 but increased PM2.5, highlighting the need for balanced air quality and heat…
Keywords: Indoor air quality , School, Environmental pollutants, Sensors, Exposure, COVID-19 measures
Airborne fungal and bacterial microbiome in classrooms of elementary schools during the COVID-19 pandemic period: Effects of school disinfection and other environmental factors
Yang, Jun I. L.
Environmental factors including disinfection, temperature, and coastal location influence classroom airborne microbiomes during COVID-19. Recent disinfection reduced bacterial DNA levels; outdoor microbiomes affected indoor diversity, underscoring…
Keywords: Bioaerosol, Disinfection, microbiome, NGS, Particulate matter (PM), QPCR
A user-friendly tool to assess combined exposures to indoor air pollutants in public spaces of children
Meek, M.E.
This study presents a user-friendly screening tool for assessing health risks from combined indoor air pollutant exposures in schools and child care settings, integrating WHO frameworks, exposure assessment aids, and a toxicological database to…
Keywords: Combined exposures, Indoor air pollutants, Assessment group, Hazard index, Adjusted point of departure index, Settings for children
A systematic approach to quantify the influence of indoor environmental parameters on students' perceptions, responses, and short-term academic performance
Brink, Henk W.
A systematic approach assessed combined effects of indoor air quality, thermal, acoustic, and lighting conditions on students’ perceptions, physiological and cognitive responses, and short-term academic performance, confirming validity except for…
Keywords: Performance, classrooms’ indoor environmental quality, Health, Higher education, Student responses, Quality of learning
A novel CO2-based demand-controlled ventilation strategy to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the indoor environment
Li, Bingxu
A novel CO2-based DCV strategy controls COVID-19 transmission indoors while saving 30%-50% energy versus fixed ventilation. Future work includes addressing CO2 measurement issues, uneven pollutant distribution, and refining infector estimation for…
Keywords: Demand-controlled ventilation, COVID-19, CO₂ concentration, Event reproduction number, Ventilation control scheme
Assessment of indoor air quality and risk of COVID-19 infection in Spanish secondary school and university classrooms
Rodríguez, Diana
Ventilation and indoor air quality in Spanish secondary and university classrooms were evaluated during COVID-19. Mechanical ventilation improved air quality and reduced transmission risk. Controlled ventilation and mask use are vital to limit…
Keywords: Classrooms, Ventilation, Indoor air quality , Hygrothermal comfort, Airborne transmission, COVID-19 infection risk
Interventions for improving indoor and outdoor air quality in and around schools
Rawat, Nidhi
School-based interventions reduce air pollution exposure: air purifiers remove up to 70% PM1; HVAC with filters up to 97% BC; green infrastructure cuts pollutants up to 77%; clean fuels reduce tailpipe emissions 94%. Combined methods are more…
Keywords: Classroom pollution, School interventions, Children exposure, Exposure reduction, Citizen science, Classroom ventilation
Unintended consequences of measures implemented in the school setting to contain the COVID‐19 pandemic: a scoping review
Kratzer, Suzie
Eighteen studies show varied unintended consequences of school COVID-19 measures, mainly harmful effects on education and psychosocial outcomes. Gaps remain in equity, contact-reduction, and contextual data. More focused research is needed for…
Keywords: None listed by authors