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 51 - 60 of 680 | Export entire research library
Phosphorus flame retardants and Bisphenol A in indoor dust and PM2.5 in kindergartens and primary schools in Hong Kong
Deng, Wen-Jing
PFRs and BPA were measured in PM2.5 and dust from 11 Hong Kong schools. TDCP and TCEP were most common in PM2.5; TPHP and TDCP in dust. Exposure estimates indicated no health risks, though intake levels were higher in kindergartens than primary…
Keywords: Organophosphate flame retardants, Bisphenol A, children, Indoor air and dust
Indoor/Outdoor Relationships and Anthropogenic Elemental Signatures in Airborne PM2.5 at a High School: Impacts of Petroleum Refining Emissions on Lanthanoid Enrichment
Bozlaker, Ayse
PM2.5 samples from a Houston high school showed indoor air dominated by outdoor refinery emissions, with 18 metal elements enriched indoors. Indoor-to-outdoor ratios and lanthanoid signatures implicate refineries as key contributors to indoor…
Keywords: None listed by authors
Preliminary Results of Radon Survey in the Kindergartens of V4 Countries
Mullerova, Monika
Radon levels were measured in 67 rooms across 20 kindergartens in Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. Most values were below 300 Bq/m³, but some Slovakian sites exceeded 1000 Bq/m³, indicating potential health concerns requiring mitigation.
Keywords: None listed by authors
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
Ultrafine particles and black carbon personal exposures in asthmatic and non-asthmatic children at school age
Pañella, P.
TRAP exposures (BC, UFP, LDSA) were measured in 100 children using GPS-tracked devices. Asthmatic and non-asthmatic children had similar time-activity patterns and exposure levels, suggesting population-wide strategies are needed to reduce TRAP…
Keywords: Asthma, Black carbon, children, Microenvironments, Personal monitoring, Ultrafine particles
Indoor Air Quality Problems at Home, School, and Work
Mainardi, Anne S.
Indoor air problems stem from sources like mold, cleaning products, pets, poor ventilation, and construction. They may cause respiratory symptoms, headaches, and fatigue. Prevention involves reducing sources, improving ventilation, and monitoring…
Keywords: None listed by authors
Effects of Ventilation Improvement on Measured and Perceived Indoor Air Quality in a School Building with a Hybrid Ventilation System
Vornanen-Winqvist, Camilla
A case study in a new school found that ventilation errors led to poor IAQ and microbial contamination. After fixing the system, CO₂, VOCs, and Trichoderma citrinoviride levels declined, showing ventilation improvements can reduce indoor exposures.
Keywords: Ventilation, Hybrid ventilation, Indoor air quality , Mycobiota, Indoor air questionnaire, School buildings, Trichoderma citrinoviride
Impact of School Air Quality on Children's Respiratory Health
Fsadni, Peter
In Maltese primary schools, indoor PM2.5, CO, and ozone exceeded health guidelines. Formaldehyde, NO₂, and ozone were linked to atopy; traffic near schools was linked to wheeze. Results support improving school air quality to protect children’s…
Keywords: Asthma, Atopy, Ozone (O3), School
Indoor and outdoor air concentrations of volatile organic compounds and NO2 in schools of urban, industrial and rural areas in Central-Southern Spain
Villanueva, Florentina
Formaldehyde, hexanal, and n-dodecane were the most abundant VOCs measured in 18 schools across urban, rural, and industrial areas in Spain. Indoor sources dominated VOC levels, while NO₂ varied more by area. Policy should target indoor source…
Keywords: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Carbonyl compounds, Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Indoor air quality , School, Spain
Indoor air quality in schools of a highly polluted south Mediterranean area
Ruggieri, Silvia
IAQ was assessed in 64 schools across 5 Central European countries. Formaldehyde, radon, and PM2.5 posed health risks, and 80% of schools exceeded CO₂ guidelines. Results highlight widespread IAQ concerns during the heating season.
Keywords: Air pollution, Der p 1, Endotoxins, Heavy metals, Indoor comfort parameters, fine particulate matter (PM2.5)