Environmental Health and Safety

Edina Public Schools uses a licensed, professional pest control service to prevent and control rodents, insects, and other pests in and around district facilities. 

Our Approach

The district’s pest management service includes:

• Inspection and monitoring to determine if pests are present and whether treatment is needed
• Recommendations for maintenance and sanitation to eliminate pests without the need for pest control materials
• Non-chemical measures such as traps, caulking, and screening
• Application of EPA-registered pest control materials when needed

The long-term health effects of applying pest control materials may not be fully understood. All pest control materials are chosen and applied according to label directions per federal law.

Reports and Resources

Safety data sheets for all pesticides used, as well as a schedule of pest control inspections and lawn treatments, are available upon request. Parents of students may request prior notification of any application by contacting the school principal or the Buildings and Grounds Department.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring, fibrous mineral commonly used in construction materials as a fireproofing or insulating agent in the U.S. before the 1980s. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared asbestos fibers a health hazard in the late 1980s and banned most asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos-containing materials do not pose a health risk when left undisturbed and properly managed.

Our Approach

Edina Public Schools maintains an asbestos management plan in accordance with EPA requirements and has contracted with the Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA).

Accredited asbestos inspectors conduct:

• In-depth building inspections every three years
• Surveillance inspections of each site every six months to record changes in conditions
• Pre-construction asbestos inspections
• Licensed asbestos abatement when necessary

Prior to any re-occupancy after construction, air sampling conducted in the work area must meet state and federal clearance requirements.

Reports and Resources

Asbestos Periodic and Third Year Inspections

• Round 1 Periodic Inspection (October 2025)
• Round 2 Periodic Inspection (April 2026)
• Round 3 Periodic Inspection (October 2026)
• Round 4 Periodic Inspection (April 2027)
• Round 5 Periodic Inspection (October 2027)
• Third Year Re-Inspection (April 2028)

Lead may enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode. Testing is the only way to confirm its presence. The Environmental Protection Agency sets a maximum contaminant level goal of zero.

Our Approach

Edina Public Schools regularly conducts Lead in Drinking Water testing per the Minnesota Department of Health’s “Reducing Lead in Drinking Water: A Technical Guidance for Minnesota’s Schools” recommendations and Minnesota Statute 121A.335 requirements. 

Reports and Resources

Anyone interested in discussing the Lead in Drinking Water program or its results may contact the district’s Buildings and Grounds Department or access archived reports below.

Indoor air quality refers to the air conditions in and around our buildings. It involves monitoring and managing these conditions to address air quality concerns and maintain a healthy indoor environment for students, staff, and visitors.

Our Approach

Edina Public Schools has an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan. The management plan outlines specific policies and procedures to address indoor air quality issues across the district. The district’s health and safety consultant completes annual IAQ assessments within our schools to ensure proper air quality.

Reports and Resources

Anyone interested in discussing the Indoor Air Quality Management plan or its results may contact the district’s Buildings and Grounds Department.

G-max (also known as impact) testing measures the surface hardness of an activity field. The measurement is taken by dropping a 20 lb. weight containing an accelerometer from a 24-inch height onto the playing surface. The accelerometer measures how fast the system stops once it hits the surface. The maximum acceleration magnitude recorded is the G-max. Three drops are performed at each of at least 10 test locations per field. The G-max for the location is the average of the second and third drops.

Our Approach

The State of Minnesota does not require G-max testing. However, following the construction and renovation of numerous synthetic activity fields in 2017, Edina Public Schools established a protocol to G-max test all synthetic turf fields each spring. Testing is done by the Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA), using trained staff and certified equipment to provide EPS with annual updates on the condition of the fields. IEA also measures the infill level at each of the drop sites in order to further enhance field safety and consistency.

ASTM International has set a maximum threshold of 200 G-max for every test point; however, EPS subscribes to taking corrective actions at a threshold of 150-165 G-max. A G-max test score that exceeds 150 results in field corrections that may include dragging the field, adding infill, or other work. Regardless of G-max score, all EPS fields receive routine field maintenance to sustain the safety and playability of the fields over time and reduce the need for corrective actions.