title: Air pollution around schools is linked to poorer student health and academic performance.
abstract: Exposing children to environmental pollutants during important times of physiological development can lead to long-lasting health problems, dysfunction, and disease. The location of children's schools can increase their exposure. We examined the extent of air pollution from industrial sources around public schools in Michigan to find out whether air pollution jeopardizes children's health and academic success. We found that schools located in areas with the highest air pollution levels had the lowest attendance rates-a potential indicator of poor health-and the highest proportions of students who failed to meet state educational testing standards. Michigan and many other states currently do not require officials considering a site for a new school to analyze its environmental quality. Our results show that such requirements are needed. For schools already in existence, we recommend that their environmental quality should be investigated and improved if necessary.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. pmohai@umich.edu
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mohai
authors.forename: Byoung-Suk
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kweon
authors.forename: Sangyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ard
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D012307:Risk Factors; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances