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 61 - 70 of 355 | Export entire research library
Vertical stratification and seasonality of fecal indicator bacteria in New York City playground sandboxes
Leri, Alessandra C.
A longitudinal study of thirteen sandboxes located in public playgrounds on the east side of Manhattan reveals ubiquity of the fecal indicator bacteria enterococci and Escherichia coli through all seasons. The highest concentrations of bacteria…
Keywords: Fecal indicator bacteria, Urban environmental health, Children's environmental health, Sandbox, Sand, Microcosm, Microbial source tracking, Enterococci, Escherichia coli
Bangkok school indoor air quality: monitoring and intervention by positive pressure fresh air system
Ongwandee, Maneerat
The indoor-to-outdoor concentration ratios indicated that either outdoor sources or indoor + outdoor sources were the predominant contributors to PM in naturally ventilated classrooms. Meanwhile, PM levels in air-conditioned classrooms strongly…
Keywords: School indoor air quality, Positive pressure fresh air system, PM 2.5, Indoor environmental quality, Ventilation
Evaluation of the Relationship between Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) with Indoor PM10, PM2.5 and NO2 in Suburban and Urban Schools
Isa, Khairul Nizam Mohd
We found that the median of FeNO in the school children from urban areas (22.0 ppb, IQR = 32.0) were slightly higher as compared to the suburban group (19.5 ppb, IQR = 24.0). After adjustment of potential confounders, the two-level hierarchical…
Keywords: Feno, School children, Urban, suburban, indoor pollutants
Influence of point-of-use filters and stagnation on water quality at a preschool and under laboratory conditions
Clark, Gemma G.
These results suggest that the installation of POU filters be considered as one component of an overall strategy to decrease Pb concentrations in school drinking water that holistically considers the premise plumbing system. A 5-minute flush…
Keywords: Point-of-use filter, Drinking water, Bacteria, Chlorine, Lead
Environment and the Development of Severe Asthma in Inner City Population
Lee, Julia X.; Phipatanakul, Wanda; Gaffin, Jonathon M.
Many urban environmental exposures contribute to asthma burden, including tobacco/e-cigerette smoke, pest allergens, molds, and possibly synthetic chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenol A, radon, and volatile organic compounds. Individuals…
Keywords: asthma; inner city population; school; environmental health; environmental allergy
Effects of Allergen Exposure and Environmental Risk Factors in Schools on Childhood Asthma
Yarsky, Eva; Banzon, Tina; Phipatanakul, Wanda.
While several studies have investigated the benefit of environmental remediation strategies in schools and their impact on asthma morbidity, future studies are warranted to further define the effects of modifiable risk factors in schools and…
Keywords: Environmental exposures, obstructive lung disease, pediatric asthma, schools.
Determinants of Air Quality in Building Environments: A Multi-Regression Analysis and Implications for Open Teaching Practices
DIng, Ding; Si, Xiurong; Zhang, Tiejian; Chen, Feng; Liu, Yiliang; Niu, Zhengzheng.
Through an in-depth examination of multi-regression data pertaining to various environmental factors, this study reveals significant correlations and patterns that are relevant to both educators and environmental specialists.
Keywords: open teaching methodologies, Built environment, multi-regression environmental analysis, air quality index (AQI), student-centered pedagogical progression, energy systems engineering
Examining the Effects of Physical Variables in Classrooms on Students' Attention via the Internet of Things
AYDIN, Abdulkerim; GOKTAS, Yuksel
Consequently, it was concluded that the physical variables did not have significant effects on attitudes, but temperature, air quality, light, and sound had significant effects on students' attention, motivation, and perceptions of academic…
Keywords: Internet of things; education, physical variables; learning environment; air quality; smart classroom
Addressing adverse synergies between chemical and biological pollutants at schools - The 'SynAir-G' hypothesis
Papodopoulos, Nikolaos G.
SynAir-G is a European Commission-funded project aiming to reveal and quantify synergistic interactions between different pollutants affecting health, from mechanisms to real life, focusing on the school setting. It will develop a comprehensive and…
Keywords: aerobiology, Allergy, artificial intelligence, Asthma, biosensors, Children, School, virus, volatile organic compounds
Environmental Exposures Impact Pediatric Asthma Within the School Environment
Mortelliti, Caroline
This review will focus on environmental exposures associated with asthma morbidity (cockroach, mouse, cat and dog, dust mite, fungus, air pollution). This review will also discuss recent school-based interventions to improve allergy morbidity among…
Keywords: Allergen exposure, childhood asthma, HEPA filter, Indoor allergens, Integrated pest management, Pediatrics, School inner-city asthma study (SICAS), School-based interventions