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 91 - 100 of 680 | Export entire research library
Social disparities in exposure to noise at public schools in the contiguous United States
Collins, Timothy
Analysis of 94,000+ U.S. public schools found that students of color and economically disadvantaged students were more likely to attend schools with high road and aviation noise. Results highlight environmental inequality in school noise exposure.
Keywords: Noise pollution, children, Public schools, Environmental justice
Psychosocial Problems, Indoor Air-Related Symptoms, and Perceived Indoor Air Quality among Students in Schools without Indoor Air Problems: A Longitudinal Study
Finell, Eerika
In a Finnish longitudinal study of 986 students, increases in socioemotional and teacher-student difficulties predicted worse subjective IAQ and more IA-related symptoms—even in schools without air problems—highlighting the role of psychosocial…
Keywords: Indoor air problems, Indoor air quality , Psychosocial problems, Socioemotional difficulties, Indoor air-related symptoms, teacher-student relations, Lower secondary schools
Oxidative capacity and hemolytic activity of settled dust from moisture-damaged schools
Huttunen, Kati
Dust from moisture-damaged and control schools in three countries was analyzed for oxidative and hemolytic effects. Moisture-linked microbial components increased oxidative stress, suggesting a mechanism for respiratory health impacts in schools.
Keywords: Hemolysis, Microbes, Moisture, Oxidative capacity, Reactive oxygen species, settled dust
Variation of Radon Activity Concentration in Selected Kindergartens in Slovakia
Mullerova, Monika
Radon was measured in four Slovak kindergartens using continuous and integrated methods. Levels peaked during summer and varied daily with ventilation. Average concentrations were higher when calculated over full days vs. working hours only.
Keywords: None listed by authors
Risk Assessment for Radon Exposure in Various Indoor Environments
Chen, Jing
Radon surveys in Canada show home radon levels are ~3× higher than in schools. With Canadians spending most time at home, 90% of radon-related lung cancer risk stems from residential exposure, highlighting the need for home mitigation strategies.
Keywords: None listed by authors
Indoor Culturable Fungal Load and Associated Factors among Public Primary School Classrooms in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2018: A Cross-sectional Study
Zewudu, Andualem
Culturable fungal loads were measured in 8 Gondar primary schools. Common genera included Aspergillus and Penicillium. Fungal levels were linked to building age, room size, temperature, humidity, and PM10, highlighting need for indoor air controls.
Keywords: School indoor air, Culturable fungal load, Settles plate technique, Gondar city
The exposure of children to PM 2.5 and dust in indoor and outdoor school classrooms in Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Othman, Murnira
PM2.5 and dust composition were monitored in a Kuala Lumpur school. Indoor levels were influenced by student activity, with road dust as the main source. While cancer risk via ingestion exceeded limits, dermal and inhalation risks remained low.
Keywords: fine particulate matter (PM2.5), School environment, Indoor and outdoor dust, Health risk assessment
A review of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in the indoor environment: occurrence in consumer products, indoor air and dust
Lucattini, Luisa
Review of 256 studies on SVOCs in consumer products, dust, and air found limited data linking product content to indoor exposures. Findings underscore the need for more product-level data to better assess indoor air quality and health risks.
Keywords: Consumer products, Indoor air, Indoor dust, SVOCs
A study evaluating noise levels at selected schools in the Czech Republic
Nedojedla, Petra
A-weighted noise levels were measured in 12 primary school classes across subjects. Average LAeq,T was 68 dB, with highest levels in physical education and arts. Findings highlight pupil noise as a major source and call for mitigation in classrooms.
Keywords: Equivalent sound pressure level, Primary schools, Noise, Teacher, Lessons
Investigation of the PM2.5, NO2 and O3 I/O ratios for office and school microenvironments
Kalimeri, Krysallia, K.
Using EU project data, I/O ratios of PM2.5, NO₂, and O₃ were compared in schools and offices. Schools showed lognormal pollutant distributions and higher indoor impacts, highlighting the need to account for setting-specific exposure dynamics.
Keywords: Fine particles, Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Ozone (O3), Offices, School