Grantee Research Project Results
2016 Progress Report: Baltimore Healthy Schools: Impact of Indoor Air Quality on Health and Performance
EPA Grant Number: R835639Title: Baltimore Healthy Schools: Impact of Indoor Air Quality on Health and Performance
Investigators: McCormack, Meredith , Connolly, Faith , Curriero, Frank , Koehler, Kirsten , Leaf, Phillip , Hall, Shane
Current Investigators: McCormack, Meredith , Leaf, Phillip , Curriero, Frank , Connolly, Faith , Koehler, Kirsten
Institution: The Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore Education Research Consortium , Baltimore City Schools
Current Institution: The Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore City Schools , Baltimore Education Research Consortium
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: December 18, 2014 through October 31, 2018 (Extended to October 31, 2019)
Project Period Covered by this Report: July 1, 2016 through June 30,2017
Project Amount: $997,822
RFA: Healthy Schools: Environmental Factors, Children’s Health and Performance, and Sustainable Building Practices (2013) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Children's Health , Human Health
Objective:
The objective of this research is to assess the impact that indoor and outdoor air quality can have on student achievement, student health and overall school climate and to document that impact on indoor air quality and school performance indicators associated with modernization of school facilities in Baltimore City.
Progress Summary:
Phase I
In Year 3 of the study, we focused our Phase I efforts on analyzing existing de-identified student outcomes data through Baltimore Education Research Consortium’s Memorandum of Understanding with Baltimore City Schools. We finalized our analytical models, ran our final analyses, and prepared a manuscript which is currently under review at International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health.
Phase II
During the third year of the award period, the study team had a series of planning and progress meetings. Since receiving IRB approval from Baltimore City Public Schools in July 2015, environmental monitoring has been conducted in 23 schools (2 weeks per school) scheduled to undergo facility improvement within the next one to two years. We plan to monitor two additional schools post-renovation, during the fall, winter and spring in the upcoming 2017-2018 academic year, for a total of 25 different schools monitored at least 1 time. Measurements have been taken in multiple seasons where possible, but this has not always been the case due to equipment limitations and standardized testing calendar within the district.
Outcomes:
There is growing evidence that school indoor air quality (IAQ) and other environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, noise, and lighting) may affect the health and productivity of students, teachers and school staff. We have conducted analysis on school air quality, and school environmental conditions, academic performance, and absenteeism, with the following preliminary results:
School Environmental Conditions and Academic Performance and Absenteeism (Phase I)
School facilities, environment, and perceptions of safety and learning have been individually investigated for their impact on child development. However, it is important to consider how the environment influences academic performance and attendance after controlling for school and community factors. Poor school building conditions are common in Baltimore City, because Baltimore schools were built decades ago and high exposure to industrial pollution (RSEI) may be present in the southern city region. School building conditions and perceptions of safety strongly influenced both academic achievement and absenteeism. RSEI was associated with increased absenteeism, but not academics, which may indicate chronic health effects of air pollution exposures. No significant association was observed between roadway density and either absenteeism or academic performance.
These findings provide evidence that community and school environment are associated with academic achievement and attendance. Investment in building infrastructure and safety promotes healthy school environments that may improve academic performance and provide long-term benefits.
Air Quality (Phase II)
We monitored each school for a period of 2 weeks in 4 different locations. Measurements were repeated during 3 seasons. Variables measured included nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). We observed higher NO2 exposures than previously reported in schools, whereas PM2.5 and CO levels were generally lower compared to the other reported results. Higher indoor NO2 and CO exposures were observed in fall and winter and are believed to be associated with inadequate ventilation. Higher air pollution in schools with physical defects such as broken windows and cracks in the walls were observed. Characteristics related to the school surroundings, such as proximity to roads and industrial facilities as well as traffic density, had a significant impact on indoor NO2 and CO exposures.
School Temperature (Phase II)
School districts often have older buildings with less modern HVAC systems that can be associated with worse air quality. Indoor air quality, including temperature, was longitudinally assessed in 15 schools over three seasons. Sampling strategy included in one-minute intervals in two classrooms and two common spaces and in 10-minute intervals outdoors over a 2-week period.
Temperature in classrooms and common spaces were similar within season and between seasons, with no relationship to outdoor temperature. Preliminary results demonstrated that schools were too warm or too cold indoors for approximately two-thirds of the monitored time. A small proportion of schools had median indoor daytime temperatures in excess of 90°F. The proportion of school days that were out of range based on EPA recommendations was similar across seasons.
Future Activities:
We plan to complete pre-renovation monitoring at the end of the 2017-2018 school year and will return to some schools to use them as controls. We anticipate that we will monitor six post-renovation schools in the next calendar year. Phase I and Phase II pre-renovation data analysis will continue as described in earlier sections.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 20 publications | 5 publications in selected types | All 5 journal articles |
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Type | Citation | ||
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Berman JD, McCormack MC, Koehler KA, Connolly F, Clemons-Erby D, Davis MF, Gummerson C, Leaf PJ, Jones TD, Curriero FC. School environmental conditions and links to academic performance and absenteeism in urban, mid-Atlantic public schools. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 2018;221(5):800-808. |
R835639 (2016) R835639 (2017) R835639 (2018) R836152 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
children’s respiratory health, community partnership, school practice, mediators, particulates, surveys, test scores, attendanceRelevant Websites:
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.