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 41 - 50 of 680 | Export entire research library
School attendance and daily respiratory symptoms in children: influence of moisture damage
Casas, L.
In a year-long study of 419 children in three countries, respiratory and other symptoms decreased on weekends and holidays, especially in moisture-damaged schools. Findings suggest school moisture damage contributes to symptom severity and frequency.
Keywords: children, Daily symptoms, Dampness, Mild, Respiratory health, school attendance
The effect of natural ventilation strategy on indoor air quality in schools
Stabile, Luca
Airing strategies were tested in naturally ventilated Italian classrooms. Longer window openings reduced CO₂ but increased ultrafine particles from outdoors. Results show manual airing alone is insufficient to control all indoor air pollutants…
Keywords: School, Exposure, Particles, Airing strategy, Carbon dioxide (CO2), Ultrafine particles, Ventilation
Indoor and outdoor PM 10 levels at schools located near mine dumps in Gauteng and North West Provinces, South Africa
Nkosi, Vusumuzi
PM10, SO₂, and indoor respirable dust were measured at 10 South African schools near/far from mine dumps. Exposed schools had significantly higher pollutant levels. Findings suggest elevated health risks for asthmatic students, despite guideline…
Keywords: Mine dumps, School, Air pollution, Asthma, South Africa
Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic Compound Exposures in Office Workers: A Controlled Exposure Study of Green and Conventional Office Environments
Allen, Joseph
In a controlled study simulating office conditions, participants scored 61-101% higher on cognitive tests in low-VOC, well-ventilated “Green+” environments versus conventional ones. VOCs and CO₂ independently affected cognitive performance.
Keywords: None listed by authors
Assessing indoor air quality of school environments: transplanted lichen Pseudovernia furfuracea as a new tool for biomonitoring and bioaccumulation
Protano, Carmela
Lichen P. furfuracea was used to monitor metals and PAHs in five school environments. Indoor and outdoor exposures showed it is effective for detecting pollution differences, offering a cost-effective, child-friendly air quality monitoring method.
Keywords: Indoor air quality , School, Heavy metals, Persistent organic pollutants, Biomonitoring, Lichen
Building-related symptoms are linked to the in vitro toxicity of indoor dust and airborne microbial propagules in schools: A cross-sectional study
Salin, J.T.
Dust samples from Helsinki classrooms were tested for toxicity using boar sperm motility assays. Teachers in classrooms with higher in vitro toxicity reported significantly more building-related symptoms, suggesting a potential diagnostic tool.
Keywords: Building-related symptoms, Indoor dust, Airborne toxicity, Sperm motility, Indoor toxicity
The relation between radon in schools and in dwellings: A case study in a rural region of Southern Serbia
Žunić, Z. S
Radon was measured in schools and 108 dwellings in rural Serbia to assess their relationship. Results showed school radon levels can moderately predict nearby home levels, supporting use of schools in modeling residential exposure in similar…
Keywords: Indoor radon, Dwelling, School, Sokobanja - southern Serbia
Myopia and daylight in schools: a neglected aspect of public health?
Hobday, R.
Historical school design emphasized daylight to prevent myopia, a view later dismissed. With myopia now surging globally, emerging evidence links light exposure to risk, underscoring the need to re-examine daylight’s role in classrooms.
Keywords: School design, Myopia, Rickets, Vitamin D, Daylight
Evaluation of Low-Cost Mitigation Measures Implemented to Improve Air Quality in Nursery and Primary Schools
Sá, Juliana P.
Air pollutants were monitored before and after low-cost mitigation in nursery and primary schools. CO₂ levels improved post-intervention, but PM and formaldehyde often exceeded health guidelines, indicating further actions are needed.
Keywords: Indoor air, Mitigation measures evaluation, Nursery schools, Primary schools
Indoor fungal diversity in primary schools may differently influence allergic sensitization and asthma in children
Rufo, João Cavaleiro
Air and endotoxin samples were collected in 71 classrooms; data from 858 children aged 8-10 included spirometry and allergy testing. Greater fungal diversity was linked to lower atopic sensitization, while endotoxins and Penicillium spp increased…
Keywords: Endotoxins, Exposure, Fungi, Indoor air, Microbiologic diversity, microbiome, School, Sensitization