U.S. Senator Tina Smith Helps Introduce Legislation to Clean Up Toxins Within Schools

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), a member of the Senate Health and Education Committee, introduced the Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools Act to remove toxic substances from school buildings across the country. The legislation, unveiled on World Children's Day, comes on the heels of a report from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) that found less than half of public schools in the state were tested for radon between 2018 and 2022.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and occurs more frequently in Minnesota due to the state's geology. The bill was led by Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) in the Senate and Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04) in the House of Representatives.

"Schools are places for our kids to learn and grow. Minnesota parents shouldn't have to worry about whether the classrooms and schools they send their kids to are free from harmful pollution with negative health effects like radon," said Senator Smith, a member of the Senate Health and Education Committee. "The report by the Minnesota Department of Health on radon in schools is concerning and shows that we need to do more to make sure our kids stay healthy when they're at school, and this bill would help with that work."

"Safe and healthy learning environments are an essential component of student success," said Minnesota Department of Education Commissioner Willie Jett. "Just as having great teachers can inspire a student to be engaged in learning and prepared for career or college, having clean air to breathe sets them up for a healthy life today and in the future."

"Testing is the only way for schools to know if radon-a colorless and odorless gas-is present," said Minnesota Deputy Commissioner of Health Wendy Underwood. "Schools are not required to test for radon in Minnesota, so it's just schools with enough funding who are able to take on this optional and valuable task right now. Additional funding could make testing possible and more equitable for schools across the state."

In October 2024, MDH published a data brief on radon testing in schools with input from the Minnesota Department of Education. The report showed that less than half of schools were tested for the chemical, and that schools with higher percentages of low-income learners were disproportionately less likely to be tested. The Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools Act would provide funding for monitoring and cleaning up hazardous substances found in schools, such as radon.

Two out of five Minnesota homes tested have high radon levels, and the only way to measure radon risks in schools is to test. Schools with high radon can install a mitigation system or make repairs to heating and cooling systems to mitigate risk to students and staff. This bill would help make those improvements.

You can view a county-by-county map of radon testing levels in schools here.

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