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 680 | Export entire research library
Nature contact at school: The impact of an outdoor classroom on children's well-being
Largo- Wight, E.
In a 6-week crossover trial, kindergarten lessons held outdoors led to fewer behavior redirections and off-task behaviors. While children’s self-reported happiness didn’t differ, teachers observed modest well-being gains, supporting nature-based…
Keywords: Nature contact intervention, Outdoor classroom, Green school, children
Outdoor Air Emissions, Land Use, and Land Cover around Schools on Tribal Lands
Barros, Nirmalla
Environmental stressors near nine U.S. tribal schools were assessed using emissions and land data. Nearby industrial sources elevated toluene and metal PM10 levels. Findings suggest off-tribal emissions impact tribal children’s respiratory risks.
Keywords: children, School, American indian/alaska native, Air pollution, Land use, Land cover
Human exposure to ozone in school and office indoor environments
Salonen, Heidi
A global review found indoor ozone in schools/offices is typically below WHO limits, but can exceed them. Outdoor air is the main source. Reducing indoor ozone requires filtration, limiting ozone-emitting devices, and controlling reactive materials.
Keywords: Air pollution, Ozone (O3), Indoor sources, Outdoor sources, School environments, Office environments
School exposure and asthma
Etsy, Brittany
Literature review links indoor allergens, molds, and pollutants in schools to worsened pediatric asthma. School-based interventions may reduce asthma morbidity and offer significant public health value; further cost-effectiveness research is needed.
Keywords: None listed by authors
Longitudinal development of the dust microbiome in a newly opened Norwegian kindergarten
Nygaard, Anders B.
Floor dust from a newly opened Norwegian kindergarten was sampled over 11 months and analyzed via 16S rRNA sequencing. Microbial shifts and antibiotic resistance genes were detected. Poor hygiene on some surfaces suggests need for revised cleaning…
Keywords: Kindergartens, Indoor microbiome, Dust analysis, Antibiotic resistance, Built environment
Residential and school greenspace and academic performance: Evidence from the GINIplus and LISA longitudinal studies of German adolescent
Maekevych, I.
Residential and school greenspace were assessed in two German cohorts using NDVI and land-use data. No consistent associations were found between greenspace and German or math grades, suggesting limited academic benefit in this adolescent sample.
Keywords: Greenness, Green space, Grades, Learning, children, Epidemiology
Radon survey in school and estimation of effective dose using corrected radon concentration
Lee, E.R.
Study estimates annual effective dose from inhaled radon in 376 schools, adjusting for student occupancy. Concentrations ranged from 18.1-2810 Bq/m³, with doses from 0.09-8.92 mSv/year. Adjusting for residence time avoids dose overestimation.
Keywords: None listed by authors
Review of indoor radon concentrations in schools and kindergartens
Zhukovsky
Review of 63 radon surveys in schools and kindergartens found a population-weighted mean of 59 Bq/m³. Elevated levels vs. homes reflect differences in ventilation, occupancy, and construction, highlighting the need for specialized school protocols.
Keywords: None listed by authors
Indoor air problems and the perceived social climate in schools: A multilevel structural equation analysis
Finell, Eerika
In a study of 27,153 Finnish students, schools with observed indoor air problems had poorer teacher-student relationships and class spirit, especially among high-achieving students. Results suggest IAQ issues may negatively impact school climate.
Keywords: Indoor air quality , School climate, Teacher-student relationships
Test-retest repeatability of child's respiratory symptoms and perceived indoor air quality - comparing self- and parent-administered questionnaires
Lampi, Jussi
Study compared test-retest reliability of self- vs. parent-administered indoor air questionnaires for children. Children aged 9-12 gave equally or more consistent responses than parents, supporting use of self-administered tools in research.
Keywords: Repeatability, Symptoms, Indoor air questionnaire