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 501 - 510 of 680 | Export entire research library
Validation of a survey to examine drinking-water access, practices and policies in schools
Hecht, Amelie A.
Validated a school administrator survey by comparing responses with on-site observations and policy review. Found strong agreement for access items, less so for policy questions. Useful for large-scale surveillance.
Keywords: Beverages, Obesity, Students, paediatrics, Public policy
Compliance With Mandated Testing for Lead in Drinking Water in School Districts in New Jersey
Sullivan, Marianne
In 2016, New Jersey required schools to test drinking water for lead and report results online. This study reviewed 501 district websites: 90% conducted testing, 87% posted results, and 79% found lead >15 ppb. Highlights the impact of state…
Keywords: None listed by authors
Policy, programs, and activities for promotion of water, sanitation and hygiene practices in schools of India
Dakhode, Sarika U.
Review of Indian WASH programs in schools highlights progress in sanitation and water access from 1986-2016. Emphasizes integration of hygiene education and consistent policy application.
Keywords: Hygiene, programmes, Sanitation, School, WASH, Water
Providing Students with Adequate School Drinking Water Access in an Era of Aging Infrastructure: A Mixed Methods Investigation
Kenney, Erica L.
Mixed-methods study of six U.S. schools found low student water intake regardless of delivery method; bottled coolers posed logistical challenges. Emphasizes need to rebuild trust in tap water.
Keywords: Schools, Drinking water, Infrastructure, Water safety, Water consumption
Prediction of Children’s Blood Lead Levels from Exposure to Lead in Schools’ Drinking Water—A Case Study in Tennessee, USA
DeSimone, Dave
This modeling study used school water lead data from a Tennessee district and EPA models (IEUBK, Bowers) to estimate blood lead levels in students. Results suggested 0.6-13.6% of students may exceed 5 µg/dL. Recommends remediation where water lead…
Keywords: Drinking water, Lead, lead-exposure, Schools, Risk, children’s health
Voice symptoms in teachers during distance teaching: a survey during the COVID‑19 pandemic in Finland
Patjas, M.
Surveyed 121 Finnish teachers on voice symptoms before and during COVID-19 distance teaching. Symptoms were reduced overall, but worsened for teachers with poor room acoustics, dryness, and noise, suggesting environmental risk factors in home…
Keywords: Voice, Teacher, Voice symptoms, Distance learning, COVID-19, Background noise, Air quality, Work ability
School Indoor Air Quality and Health Risk on the Junior High Schools Students in Depok, Indonesia
Pakpahan, Sasnila
Air quality (PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, CO₂, HCHO) was assessed in 3 Indonesian junior high schools; PM exceeded safe levels, posing health risks. Policy implications include improved school air quality monitoring.
Keywords: PM2.5, PM10, carbon dioxide, Formaldehyde, School health
Indoor PM2.5 concentrations and students’ behavior in primary school classrooms
Zhou, Yuhe
Indoor PM2.5 was monitored in primary classrooms in North China for one year. Symbolic regression models quantified the effect of student behavior on pollution spikes. Findings support managing activity patterns to reduce PM2.5 exposure in schools.
Keywords: Indoor PM2.5, Symbolic regression, students’ behavior
Air pollution and academic performance: Evidence from India
Balakrishnan, Uttara
Using ASER test data from 2008-2014 and satellite-based PM2.5 estimates, this study shows that short-term air pollution significantly reduces reading and math scores in Indian children. Results highlight school attendance as a key pathway and…
Keywords: Air pollution, Academic performance, Thermal inversions, India
Indoor bacterial load and its correlation to physical indoor air quality parameters in public primary schools
Andualem, Zewudu
Cross-sectional study in 51 classrooms at 8 Ethiopian primary schools used settle plate sampling to assess bacterial load and correlate it with PM2.5, PM10, temperature, and humidity. Findings call for better IAQ control to protect student health.
Keywords: Bacterial load, Classrooms, Correlation, Indoor air, Settle plate method