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The ventilation problem in schools: literature review

Journal Article · · Indoor Air
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12403· OSTI ID:1437972
 [1]
  1. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). Indoor Environment Group
+ Show Author Affiliations
Based on a review of literature published in refereed archival journals, ventilation rates in classrooms often fall far short of the minimum ventilation rates specified in standards. We report that there is compelling evidence, from both cross-sectional and intervention studies, of an association of increased student performance with increased ventilation rates. There is evidence that reduced respiratory health effects and reduced student absence are associated with increased ventilation rates. Increasing ventilation rates in schools imposes energy costs and can increase heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system capital costs. The net annual costs, ranging from a few dollars to about 10 dollars per person, are less than 0.1% of typical public spending on elementary and secondary education in the United States. Finally, such expenditures seem like a small price to pay given the evidence of health and performance benefits.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
1437972
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1399162
Journal Information:
Indoor Air, Journal Name: Indoor Air Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 27; ISSN 0905-6947
Publisher:
WileyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (13)

Direct human health risks of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide journal July 2019
Onset of respiratory symptoms among Chinese students: associations with dampness and redecoration, PM 10 , NO 2 , SO 2 and inadequate ventilation in the school journal March 2019
Appraisal and identification of different sources of smell by primary school children in the air quality test chamber of the SenseLab journal November 2019
Using EEG to characterise drowsiness during short duration exposure to elevated indoor Carbon Dioxide concentrations posted_content November 2018
How home ventilation rates affect health: A literature review journal May 2018
Onset and remission of rhinitis among students in relation to the home and school environment—A cohort study from Northern China journal May 2019
Birth month is associated with learning capacity in childhood in Northeast China journal October 2019
Estimating the nationwide transmission risk of measles in US schools and impacts of vaccination and supplemental infection control strategies journal July 2020
Associations between indoor environmental quality in schools and symptom reporting in pupil-administered questionnaires journal December 2019
Estimating the Nationwide Transmission Risk of Measles in US Schools and Impacts of Vaccination and Supplemental Infection Control Strategies preprint July 2020
Estimating the Nationwide Transmission Risk of Measles in US Schools and Impacts of Vaccination and Supplemental Infection Control Strategies preprint July 2020
Investigation and Evaluation of Winter Indoor Air Quality of Primary Schools in Severe Cold Weather Areas of China journal April 2019
Carbon Dioxide Human Gains—A New Approach of the Estimation journal December 2019

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Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
42 ENGINEERING
carbon dioxide
costs
health
performance
schools
ventilation