Grantee Research Project Results
2018 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 , Wohn, Christopher , Connolly, Faith , Curriero, Frank , Koehler, Kirsten , Leaf, Phillip
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: December 18, 2017 through December 17,2018
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:
Outputs of Year 4
Phase I
In Year 4 of the study, the studyfocused thePhase I efforts on analyzing existing deidentified student outcomes data through Baltimore Education Research Consortium's Memorandum of Understanding with Baltimore City Schools. The researchers finalized theanalytical models, ran thefinal analyses, and prepared a second manuscript which is now published at Environmental Research.
Phase II
During the fourth 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 28 schools (2 weeks per school repeated over multiple seasons) scheduled to undergo facility improvement. Six of those schools include post-renovation environmental monitoring. Four schools include multiple years of assessment to serve as control schools. Measurements have been taken in multiple seasons where possible, but this has not always been the case due to equipment limitations, standardized testing and the holiday calendar within the district. The researchers have completed approximately 334 days of school monitoring as of May 31, 2019 for the 2018-2019 academic school year. Two schools will be opening post renovation in the 2019-2020 academic year and eleven are scheduled for opening post renovation in 2020-2021.
Feedback to Baltimore City School stakeholders
The researchers have worked with Baltimore City Schools to create an information sheet that describes the findings from our environmental monitoring. These results are provided back to the schools to share with their community.
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.The researchershave 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) The researchersmonitored 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).The studyobserved 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 22 schools over three seasons. Sampling strategy included in one-minute intervals in two classrooms and two common spaces and in ten-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:
The researchersanticipate that theywill monitor 2 post- renovation schools next calendar year.
Phase I and Phase II pre-renovation data analysis will continue as described in earlier sections. The study has completed a data use agreement for Medicaid data and are now procuring this data to use in the near future for children with asthma in the Baltimore City Public Schools. This health data will allow the researchers to not only consider student performance, but also student health as a benefit of renovated school facilities.The research team has submitted a proposal with the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at JHSPH to receive additional funding. The proposal will build on the collaboration we currently have with Baltimore City.
Public Schools and will lead to policy recommendations for future infrastructure projects to promote the health and productivity of Baltimore City students, teachers and staff. With the fundingtheresearchershope to include more schools as they are scheduled for improvement or complete interventions in both the home and school environment.
Journal Articles on this Report : 2 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 20 publications | 5 publications in selected types | All 5 journal articles |
---|
Type | Citation | ||
---|---|---|---|
|
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) |
Exit Exit Exit |
|
Majid E, McCormack M, Davis M, Curriero F, Berman J, Connolly F, Leaf P, Rule A, Green T, Clemons-Erby D, Gummerson C, Koehler K. Indoor air quality in inner-city schools and its associations with building characteristics and environmental factors. Environ Res 2019; 170:83-91 |
R835639 (2018) |
Exit |
Supplemental Keywords:
Children's respiratory health, community partnership, school practice, mediators, particulates, surveys, test scores, attendance.Relevant Websites:
Baltimore Healthy Schools: Impact of Indoor Air Quality on Health and Performance
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.