Indoor Air Quality in Schools: What the Research Actually Shows

In this video, I walk through a 2022 review from the Journal of Building Engineering examining indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools and its impact on student health and performance.  Classrooms are uniquely dense environments—often with significantly higher occupancy than typical office spaces—creating conditions where air quality can degrade quickly. We break down the major contributors to indoor air pollution in schools, including: • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from building materials and cleaning products • Particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) from dust and outdoor sources • Carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a proxy for ventilation • Biological contaminants like fungi and bacteria The research shows that ventilation plays a central role in improving both health outcomes and cognitive performance. In some cases, relatively small increases in airflow are associated with measurable improvements in concentration, memory, and academic performance. However, the challenge is more complex than simply “bringing in fresh air.” Outdoor pollution, building design, and geographic location all influence indoor conditions, requiring more tailored solutions. I also connect these findings to my own work building a “home as lab,” where I use low-cost sensors to study real-world air quality and better understand everyday exposures. If you’re interested in data-driven approaches to environmental sensing, indoor air quality, and practical applications of measurement science, this series explores how we can turn everyday environments into meaningful sources of insight