Health & Safety Information
Lead in Water Testing
Mankato Area Public Schools has conducted, and continues to conduct, Lead in Drinking Water testing per the Minnesota Department of Health’s “Reducing Lead in Drinking Water: A Technical Guidance for Minnesota’s School and Child Care Facilities” recommendations of every five years.
Minnesota Statute 121A.335 requires public school buildings serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12 to test for lead in water every 5 years. This statute also requires school districts to make the results of the testing available to the public for review and to notify parents of the availability of the information. Notification may be accomplished by publishing a statement in the “Back to School” newsletter or publication/website that is available to staff, students, parents and the public.
Mankato Area Public Schools is committed to providing a safe working and learning environment for employees and students. The district has developed a lead in water management plan and testing program that complies with Minnesota Statute 121A.3345, as well as recommendations from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Lead Contamination Control Act (LCCA) of 1988 and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).
For more information on Mankato Area Public Schools lead reduction and testing program or to view testing results, please contact the District Facilities & Safety Office: 507-345-5311 or shogen1@isd77.org
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that enters buildings from surrounding soil. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas, the primary source of ionizing radiation to humans.
The level of radon gas present in an area may pose a health hazard to students and staff alike. Testing is the only way to determine how much radon is present in the school, though it is estimated that radon levels in schools are relatively low. Test results are measured in picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) which are used to establish the action levels recommended by the EPA.
Minnesota Statute 123B.571 requires school districts that receive Long-Term Facility Maintenance funding develop a Radon Management Plan which follows EPA and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines of testing for radon after any renovation to a building or HVAC system, or periodically, such as every 5 years and to reduce levels to below 4 picoCuries per Liter (pCi/L).
Mankato Area Public Schools has been very diligent in testing for radon every 5 years and have buildings scheduled on a 5 year rotation. (See chart below).
For more information on Mankato Area Public Schools radon reduction and testing program, or to view testing results, please contact the district Facility office: 507-345-5311 or shogen1@isd77.org