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 561 - 570 of 680 | Export entire research library
Indoor CO₂ concentrations and cognitive function: A critical review
Du, Bowen
Review synthesized findings from 37 studies on indoor CO₂ exposure and cognitive performance, highlighting methodological gaps; calls for policy-guided research to establish safe exposure limits in schools.
Keywords: None listed by authors
The Impact of Air Filtration Units on Primary School Students’ Indoor Exposure to Particulate Matter in China
Tong, Zheming
Field experiment compared air filtration unit impacts on PM₂.₅ exposure in Chinese primary school classrooms; findings guide ventilation strategies and public health decisions.
Keywords: Air filtration unit, Ventilation, classroom, China, PM2.5, IAQ
The classroom microbiome and asthma morbidity in children attending three inner-city schools
Lai, Peggy S.
Pilot randomized trial in 25 children compared school vs home microbiomes; classroom diversity linked to asthma symptoms, supporting microbial-focused environmental health interventions.
Keywords: Asthma, School, Environment, microbiome, Shotgun metagenomics sequencing
Asthma Prevalence and Mold Levels in US Northeastern Schools
Howard, Evin J.
Observational study compared mold levels in 32 northeastern US schools using ERMI index; found links between mold, building features, and asthma prevalence, supporting targeted environmental interventions.
Keywords: Asthma, ERMI, Mold, Northeast, Schools, Homes
Toxicity Assessment of 91-Day Repeated Inhalation Exposure to an Indoor School Air Mixture of PCBs
Wang, Hui
Experimental study exposed rats to school-simulated airborne PCBs over 91 days; observed neurobehavioral, immune, metabolic, and gene expression impacts, emphasizing school air PCB exposure as a health concern.
Keywords: Aroclor, Inhalation toxicity, Metabolomics, Neurotoxicity, Polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs, School indoor air, Long-term exposure
Onset of Respiratory Symptoms Among Chinese Students: Associations With Dampness and Redecoration, PM₁₀, NO₂, SO₂, and Inadequate Ventilation in the School
Li, Tian
Two-year cohort study of 1,325 Chinese junior high students examined dampness, redecoration, and indoor pollutants; found links between school environmental factors and respiratory symptom onset, highlighting school air quality intervention needs.
Keywords: Air pollution, children, Indoor, Longitudinal study, particulate matter, Respiratory symptoms
Effectiveness of Using Enhanced Filters in Schools and Homes to Reduce Indoor Exposures to PM2.5 from Outdoor Sources and Subsequent Health Benefits for Children with Asthma
Martenies, Sheena
Probabilistic models estimated Detroit school/home PM2.5 reductions using enhanced filters; results showed 13% cut in asthma burden for children. Efficient school filtration is a potentially cost-effective public health intervention.
Keywords: None listed by authors
Current asthma, respiratory symptoms and airway infections among students in relation to the school and home environment in Japan
Takaoka, Motoko
Questionnaire and environmental measurements in Japanese junior high schools linked high humidity, student density, and airborne cat allergens to airway infections; findings underscore need for better indoor air quality in schools.
Keywords: Asthma, Respiratory symptoms, Airway infection, Students, Japan
Environmental Exposures Impact Pediatric Asthma Within the School Environment
Mortelliti, Caroline
Review summarizes evidence on school allergens, pollutants, and pediatric asthma; reports mixed outcomes from school interventions; stresses need for improved school IAQ strategies to reduce asthma risk in vulnerable children.
Keywords: School inner-city asthma study (SICAS), Pediatrics, Indoor allergens, Allergen exposure, childhood asthma, School-based interventions, Integrated pest management, HEPA filter
Ventilation procedures to minimize the airborne transmission of viruses in classrooms
Stabile, Luca
Mass balance simulations quantified air exchange rates needed to keep SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk low in classrooms; results support CO₂-based feedback ventilation controls, offering actionable strategies for reducing airborne virus spread in…
Keywords: exhaled CO₂, Virus transmission, Air exchange rate, Ventilation, Schools, SARS-CoV-2