Grantee Research Project Results
2015 Progress Report: Sustainable Places, Health and Educational Research in Schools (SPHEReS)
EPA Grant Number: R835635Title: Sustainable Places, Health and Educational Research in Schools (SPHEReS)
Investigators: Cross, Jennifer E , Reynolds, Stephen J. , Dunbar, Brian , Magzamen, Sheryl
Current Investigators: Cross, Jennifer E , Reynolds, Stephen J. , Dunbar, Brian , Magzamen, Sheryl , Manning, Dale , Suter, Jordan , Schaeffer, Joshua
Institution: Colorado State University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: March 2, 2015 through March 1, 2019 (Extended to March 1, 2020)
Project Period Covered by this Report: March 2, 2015 through March 1,2016
Project Amount: $999,387
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:
- Determine if new, sustainably built schools and sustainably retrofitted schools have a positive impact on human performance, including student health, student academic achievement, employee health and work satisfaction compared to conventional school buildings.
- Examine how features of sustainable buildings that improve environmental quality mediate the relationship between improved air quality and student and teacher health and performance.
- Determine return on investment for sustainable building design and construction in terms of human performance measures.
Progress Summary:
We have been working on establishing relationships with two school districts, in an effort to gain permission to conduct research in those sites. Our activities have included face-to-face meetings as well as phone conferences with diverse staff in each district. We submitted formal requests to conduct research in spring 2016 and are awaiting a formal decision from both districts.
The indoor air quality (IAQ) team has successfully constructed an air sampling station that uniquely integrates all equipment and instrumentation proposed in sampling strategy. This station facilitates transportation and deployment of active and passive samplers (including direct reading instruments) while standardizing sampling orientation between classrooms and schools. Further, the sampling station securely houses equipment and protects against tampering or theft. Due to its innovation and customization, an invention disclosure and provisional patent has been submitted.
In a pilot study, the air sampling station was evaluated to ensure practicality/ease of use and that the temperature inside the station remained optimal during operation of sampling pumps. Several ventilation ports and fan were installed, which helped to maintain an operating temperature below 75°F. A second pilot test was conducted to test sample times and potential loading of filters and badges. The air sampling station was positioned inside the hallway of the Environmental Health Building at Colorado State University (CSU), which is representative of proposed study locations. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) and aldehyde badges were also placed in the hazardous waste storage site at CSU to ensure sufficient analyte was collected for method development. We are currently completing sample and data analysis.
Future Activities:
While we have interest from new districts and school systems, we do not anticipate executing fieldwork originally proposed until 2017. Due to unforeseen challenges associated with participation of school districts and attendant delays in fieldwork, we propose to conduct an IAQ study on the campus of CSU, which includes a similar study design. For example, we will deploy air-sampling stations (with all proposed samplers and instrumentation) in different building types representing LEEDS/Green Certified and older classrooms. This study will provide practical experience and inform sampling strategies that that can be leveraged to help successfully complete the aims of the original proposal.
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 16 publications | 6 publications in selected types | All 6 journal articles |
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Magzamen S, Mayer AP, Schaeffer JW, Reynolds SJ. Advancing a multidisciplinary research framework on school environment, occupant health, and performance. Indoor Air 2015;25(5):457-461. |
R835635 (2015) R835635 (2016) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
Indoor air quality, indoor environmental quality, green schools, community-based research, health effects, public schools, student performance, teacher health, sustainable schools, cost benefit, sociology, epidemiology, agricultural and resource economics, built environment, modelling, western region, Colorado, CO, EPA Region 8.Relevant Websites:
Institute for the Built Environment | Colorado State University/ Exit
Jennifer E Cross | Department of Sociology | Colorado State University Exit
Stephen J. Reynolds, Ph.D. | Department of Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences | Colorado State University Exit
Sheryl L. Magzamen, Ph.D. | Department of Environmental & Radiological Health Sciences | Colorado State University Exit
Dr. Dale Manning | Agricultural & Resource Economics | Colorado State University Exit
Dr. Jordan Suter | Agricultural & Resource Economics | Colorado State University Exit
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.