A preliminary study on the association between ventilation rates in classrooms and student performance

Abstract

Poor conditions leading to substandard indoor air quality (IAQ) in classrooms have been frequently cited in the literature over the past two decades. However, there is limited data linking poor IAQ in the classrooms to student performance. Whereas, it is assumed that poor IAQ results in reduced attendance and learning potential, and subsequent poor student performance, validating this hypothesis presents a challenge in today's school environment. This study explores the association between student performance on standardized aptitude tests that are administered to students on a yearly basis, to classroom carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, which provide a surrogate of ventilation being provided to each room. Data on classroom CO2 concentrations (over a 4-5 h time span within a typical school day) were recorded in fifth grade classrooms in 54 elementary schools within a school district in the USA. Results from this preliminary study yield a significant (P < 0.10) association between classroom-level ventilation rate and test results in math. They also indicate that non-linear effects may need to be considered for better representation of the association. A larger sample size is required in order to draw more definitive conclusions. Practical Implications Future studies could focus on (1) gathering more evidence on the possible association between classroom ventilation rates and students' academic performance; (2) the linear/non-linear nature of the association; and (3) whether it is possible to detect 'no observed adverse effect level' for adequate ventilation with respect to academic performance in schools. All of this information could be used to improve guidance and take regulatory actions to ensure adequate ventilation in schools. The high prevalence of low ventilation rates, combined with the growing evidence of the positive impact that sufficient ventilation has on human performance, suggests an opportunity for improving design and management of school facilities.

Full scale measurements and CFD simulations of diffuse ceiling inlet for ventilation and cooling of densely occupied rooms

“…Due to the wrong choice of ventilation system and poor overall design, schools have generally very poor indoor climate [3]. Similar findings were obtained from investigations in buildings with different purposes which were poorly ventilated, such as offices, call centers etc.…”

Comfort Parameters and Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) in School Classrooms and Outdoor Air

“…Failure to prevent or respond promptly to indoor air quality (IAQ) problems can increase short-and long-term health outcomes (Norbäck et al, 2000;Simoni et al, 2006;Tillet, 2010;Simoni et al, 2010), impact both teacher and student's attendance, comfort and performance (Gilliland et al, 2001;Shaughnessy et al, 2006;Mohai et al, 2011), and accelerate the deterioration of school buildings and equipments (Lohbeck, 2008). Among the indoor air pollutants, there is an increasing interest in the measurement of particulate matter concentrations.…”

The Prevelence of SBS and Absenteeism among Children in Urban Refurbished Private Preshools

“…School absenteeism is one of the main problems in public and private school. Most of the incidence for total absent episodes and percent of missed days, including those because of upper respiratory infections [6,7]. Regards to Malaysia climate, these compilations has originate immensely among children and preschooler [7][8][9][10].…”

“…Asthma reported to be the number one cause for student absenteeism due to chronic conditions and was the leading cause of hospitalization for children [6]. Epidemiological data indicated that 7.4% of school-age children report having asthma symptoms annually, and 2.8 million children between 5 and 14 years of age had a diagnosis of asthma [11].…”