Poor air quality could keep tens of thousands of U.S. students out of school for weeks each year, according to new research from West Virginia University. The study, led by WVU doctoral student Mustahsin Ul Aziz, found that even when air pollution meets federal safety standards, it can still affect children’s health and school attendance. Chronic absenteeism — missing at least 15 school days in a year — can lower academic performance, increase dropout risk, and affect long-term success.
