School, Air and Health: Influence of ventilation concepts on health, well-being and comfort of schoolchildren
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN14284039 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14284039 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | Nil known |
| Sponsors | Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm, Paracelsus Medical University |
| Funder | Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building |
- Submission date
- 27/10/2025
- Registration date
- 26/11/2025
- Last edited
- 26/11/2025
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Good indoor air quality is essential for children’s health, comfort and ability to concentrate in school. Many classrooms are still ventilated by manually opening windows, which may not always provide enough fresh air and can be uncomfortable, especially in winter. Mechanical ventilation systems could improve air quality and reduce the spread of infections. The study aims to investigate under real-life school conditions how different classroom ventilation concepts influence indoor air quality, the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), and pupils’ comfort and well-being during teaching hours.
Who can participate?
Pupils aged 6 to 12 years, enrolled in the participating classes in the selected primary schools, take part voluntarily with parental consent.
What does the study involve?
The study takes place in three primary schools in Bavaria, Germany, and runs from October 2023 to April 2024 during the winter infection season. It is a controlled observational study with three groups. Three ventilation concepts are investigated: manual window airing, decentralised mechanical ventilation, and centralised mechanical ventilation. Window opening is possible in all three concepts.
Throughout the study, a continuous upper respiratory symptom survey is completed at home. At three timepoints (beginning, middle and end of the study) data are collected at school. Participating pupils complete short questionnaires about their comfort and well-being, and saliva samples are collected to analyse infection-related biomarkers. In addition, environmental parameters are measured at the three timepoints.
During the entire study period, long-term monitoring is performed to continuously measure environmental conditions such as CO2 concentration, temperature, humidity, particulate matter, and window opening states in classrooms, as well as ambient parameters at each school site.
The study does not change or manipulate the classroom ventilation systems; it only observes existing conditions under normal teaching operation.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The study helps to understand how classroom ventilation affects children’s health, comfort and well-being and may contribute to healthier learning environments in schools.
Participation does not involve any medical treatment or intervention. The collection of saliva samples is non-invasive and harmless. The main potential disadvantage is the small amount of time needed for filling out questionnaires and providing samples during the school day. No financial or material incentives are provided for participation.
Where is the study run from?
Institute for Energy and Building, Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm (Germany), with the expertise of Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University (Austria)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2023 to April 2024
Who is funding the study?
The Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building with funds from the Future Building Research Funding
Who is the main contact?
Susanna Bordin, susanna.bordin@th-nuernberg.de
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator
Keßlerplatz 12
Nuremberg
90489
Germany
 ORCID ID |
0000-0001-6145-0193 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +49 (0)911 5880-1846 |
| arno.dentel@th-nuernberg.de |
Scientific
Keßlerplatz 12
Nuremberg
90489
Germany
| ORCID ID |
0009-0002-6729-1861 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +49 (0)911 5880-3124 |
| susanna.bordin@th-nuernberg.de |
Study information
| Primary study design | Observational |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-centre longitudinal controlled observational cohort study |
| Secondary study design | Cohort study |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Controlled observational study on the influence of different classroom ventilation concepts on health, well-being and comfort of schoolchildren (short title: School, Air and Health, German: Schule, Luft und Gesundheit; acronym: SLG) |
| Study acronym | SLG |
| Study objectives | The study aims to investigate under real-life school conditions how different classroom ventilation concepts influence indoor air quality, the occurrence of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), and pupils’ comfort and well-being during teaching hours. |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 13/09/2023, Joint Ethics Committee of the Universities of Applied Sciences of Bavaria (GEHBa) (Wileystraße 1, Neu-Ulm, 89231, Germany; +49 (0)731 9762 1625; antrag@gehba.de), ref: GEHBa-202307-V-119-R |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Respiratory health, thermal comfort and well-being of primary schoolchildren in relation to indoor air quality and classroom ventilation conditions |
| Intervention | The study compares different classroom ventilation concepts as natural exposures affecting indoor air quality. Three main ventilation types are observed under normal operating conditions: 1. Window airing 2. Decentralised mechanical ventilation (window airing is also possible) 3. Centralised mechanical ventilation (window airing is also possible) No experimental manipulation is performed; the study observes existing systems and their effects on indoor air quality parameters, using long-term environmental monitoring, as well as on pupils’ health, comfort and well-being, using questionnaires and saliva sample collection. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Occurrence and severity of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs), measured using the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey for Kids (WURSS-K) each time disease symptoms occur and until they have completely resolved. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
At three timepoints (beginning, middle and end of the study; November 2023, January 2024, and April 2024) the following secondary outcomes are measured: |
| Completion date | 30/04/2024 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Learner/student |
|---|---|
| Age group | Child |
| Lower age limit | 6 Years |
| Upper age limit | 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 160 |
| Total final enrolment | 109 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Enrolment in one of the participating classes in the selected primary schools 2. Pupils aged 6–12 years 3. Voluntary participation following written informed consent from parents or legal guardians |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Lack of parental or guardian consent 2. Pupils who personally do not wish to participate |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/10/2023 |
| Date of final enrolment | 20/11/2023 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Germany
Study participating centres
Nürnberg
90439
Germany
Fürth
90768
Germany
Großenseebach
91091
Germany
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
28/10/2025: Study's existence confirmed by the Joint Ethics Committee of the Universities of Applied Sciences of Bavaria (GEHBa).
