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Identifying and evaluating school environmental health indicators

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Abstract

Children’s health, attendance, and academic performance may be affected by school environmental hazards. While prior studies evaluated home environment and health, few have evaluated indicators of school in-/outdoor environment and health. This study addresses this knowledge gap by systematically reviewing and evaluating outdoor and indoor indicators of school environment and student’s health and performance in New York State (NYS). We also evaluate statistical methodologies to address highly correlated indicators and integrate multiple exposures. Multiple school environmental indicators were identified from various existing NYS datasets. We summarized data sources, completeness, geographic and temporal coverage, and data quality for each indicator. Each indicator was evaluated by scientific basis/relevance, analytic soundness/feasibility, and interpretation/utility, and validated using objective NYS data. Finally, advanced variable selection methods were described and discussed. We have identified and evaluated multiple school environmental health indicators. It was found that mold and moisture problems, ventilation problems, ambient ozone, and PM2.5 levels are among the top priorities of school environmental issues/indicators in NYS, which were also consistent while using NYS data. Choice of best variable selection method should be made based on the research questions and data characteristics. The school environmental health indicators identified, and variable selection methods evaluated, in this study could be used by other researchers to help school officials and policy makers initiate prevention programs.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. David Savitz for his significant contribution to the study design and guidance on the methods. They also like to acknowledge the efforts and supported devoted by Mr. Neil Muscatiello, Ms. Melissa Frisbie, Dr. Wan-Hsiang Hsu, and Dr. Syni-An Hwang from the New York State Department of Health. The authors declare they have no actual or potential competing financial interests.

Funding

This study was supported by grant R835636 (STAR) from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, 1 University Place, Room 212D, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA

    Shao Lin, Yi Lu, Ziqiang Lin, Xiaobo Xue Romeiko, Tia Marks, Wangjian Zhang & Haider A. Khwaja

  2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, USA

    Shao Lin

  3. Wadsworth Laboratory, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, USA

    Haider A. Khwaja

  4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China

    Guanghui Dong

  5. Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA

    George Thurston

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  1. Shao Lin
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Correspondence to Shao Lin.

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Appendix. School indoor indicators from Building Condition Survey (22 variables potentially related to asthma)

Appendix. School indoor indicators from Building Condition Survey (22 variables potentially related to asthma)

Indoor air quality

  Air intakes proximity to bus loading

  Air intakes proximity to truck delivery areas

  Air intakes proximity to garbage disposal areas

  Air intakes proximity to blockages

  Ductwork of dirt/dust/debris

  Air filter condition

  Dampers functioning

  Radon level

  Overall IAQ/ventilation rating

Acoustics

Lighting

  Lighting quality rating

  Lighting fixtures

Cleanliness

  General appearance

  Active infestations of cockroaches

Dryness

  Dryness 1 score (no moisture)

  Dryness 2 score (no mold)

Well-maintained system

  Site utilities score

  Other site utilities score

  Building envelope score

  Building interior score

  Building plumbing score

  Building HVAC score

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Lin, S., Lu, Y., Lin, Z. et al. Identifying and evaluating school environmental health indicators. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 16624–16639 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08092-w

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