Indoor environmental quality in schools in relation to academic performance of students : Observations of potential contributors to poor IEQ

Results of a pilot study published by Shaughnessy et al. 2006, demonstrated a modest association between class room ventilation rates and student performance in math standardized test scores, and also a need for further studies with larger sample size and more comprehensive assessment of indoor environmental quality (IEQ). A new school district in the USA with approximately 50 schools has undergone a thorough assessment protocol and the data is currently being analyzed. This paper focuses on these data, specifically on observations of potential contributors to poor IEQ. In addition there is a new on-going study in Finland that will provide further knowledge on how and to what extent IEQ in schools affect academic performance of students.