When the Idaho Legislature reconvenes next session, we’ll be pushing for a bill that requires schools to test for three silent but serious threats to student health: lead in drinking water, radon gas, and toxic mold. Our school safety bill (HB458) was printed late this session and did not have an opportunity for a hearing, but we will reprint in January 2026. In the meantime, we urge education leaders and school boards to voluntarily test for these hazards—and take action now to protect our students.

Idaho currently has no laws requiring schools to test for lead in drinking water, radon, or toxic mold. Without this mandate, families often don’t know when their children are exposed to substances that cause permanent brain damage, cancer, respiratory illness, behavioral conditions, and more. News reports and local investigations since at least 2018 suggest that dozens of Idaho school buildings may have elevated levels of these toxins, and many more have yet to be tested.

The proposed legislation would require testing for lead, radon, and mold when certain conditions exist—like in older buildings or areas with known environmental threats. The bill also strengthens parental rights and workers rights, allowing families and staff to take legal action if hazardous conditions are found and schools fail to notify all those at risk of health effects.

This idea began in 2018, when one of us, Nate Dean (a former junior high science teacher), learned about the widespread lack of lead testing in schools. He collected water samples from his school’s drinking fountains and sent them to a lab. The results showed dangerously high lead levels. Follow-up testing across the district revealed similar issues in numerous schools. Instead of taking swift, transparent action, the results were downplayed and staff and families were misled about the risks and the abatement process. Dean relentlessly tried to get information out to the public, and he was retaliated against for speaking up – a decision that was only rectified after the United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) found in his favor.

Unfortunately, this experience isn’t unique. All over the state, parents and teachers have raised alarms only to be silenced; and while some districts have been quick to abate these toxins when found, none are required by law to preemptively test themselves.

Let’s be clear about these toxins: first, there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. According to the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, even trace amounts can cause lasting neurological damage, affecting learning, behavior, and development. Radon is another invisible threat. It’s a naturally occurring radioactive gas that’s odorless and symptomless—and the second leading cause of lung cancer in Idaho. Children are especially vulnerable because the effects are cumulative and often go undetected for years. Recently, schools in Ada, Teton, and Bonneville counties addressed their radon issues, but only after private citizens forced the issue.

And in schools from Meridian to Lewiston, St. Maries to Nampa, parents and educators have reported serious outbreaks of toxic mold, which can worsen asthma, cause allergic reactions, and compromise immune systems. In some cases, the damage has been so extensive that costly remediation was needed—expenses that could have been avoided with early testing and prevention.

The longer we wait, the more children and educators are exposed, and the higher the cost of cleanup becomes. This is not just about public health—it’s about fiscal responsibility. Proactive testing and transparency are far less expensive than crisis response. And it is about trust–and we sure could use more trust in our public school system.

As we push for legislative action in 2026, we urge school leaders to voluntarily test now. Doing so not only protects the health of students and staff—it sends a powerful message to families: that their schools are safe places to learn and grow.

We can’t afford to ignore these invisible threats any longer. The science is clear, and the health of our educators and children are at stake.

Rep. Monica C. Church represents District 19. She is a public school teacher and administrator. Nate Dean is a former public school science teacher and currently an educational consultant focused on STEM, curriculum design, and student mental health. He previously served as a program manager for the Idaho State Board of Education and the Idaho STEM Action Center.