  High air pollution levels are associated with school absences. However, low
level pollution impact on individual school absences are under-studied. We
modelled PM2.5 and ozone concentrations at 36 schools from July 2015 to June
2018 using data from a dense, research grade regulatory sensor network. We
determined exposures and daily absences at each school. We used generalized
estimating equations model to retrospectively estimate rate ratios for
association between outdoor pollutant concentrations and school absences. We
estimated lost school revenue, productivity, and family economic burden. PM2.5
and ozone concentrations and absence rates vary across the School District.
Pollution exposure were associated with as high a rate ratio of 1.02 absences
per ug/m$^3$ and 1.01 per ppb increase for PM2.5 and ozone, respectively.
Significantly, even PM2.5 and ozone exposure below regulatory standards (<12.1
ug/m$^3$ and <55 ppb) was associated with positive rate ratios of absences:
1.04 per ug/m$^3$ and 1.01 per ppb increase, respectively. Granular local
measurements enabled demonstration of air pollution impacts that varied between
schools undetectable with averaged pollution levels. Reducing pollution by 50%
would save $452,000 per year districtwide. Pollution reduction benefits would
be greatest in schools located in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
Exposures to air pollution, even at low levels, are associated with increased
school absences. Heterogeneity in exposure, disproportionately affecting
socioeconomically disadvantaged schools, points to the need for fine resolution
exposure estimation. The economic cost of absences associated with air
pollution is substantial even excluding indirect costs such as hospital visits
and medication. These findings may help inform decisions about recess during
severe pollution events and regulatory considerations for localized pollution
sources.
