State Officials Launch Interactive Tool to Check Lead Testing Results

Officials from the Oregon Department of Education and Oregon Health Authority have teamed up to create a website where people can go to check the results of lead testing in school buildings around the state. The website include an interactive map of Oregon allowing people look at the results of individual buildings.

Officials say that the mapping tool acts as a one-time source for sharing information as schools transition from providing individual test results on their websites to submitting Healthy and Safe School Facilities plans to the Oregon Department of Education in 2017.

Schools were not statutorily required to submit test results.

"Our schools are a launch pad for learning and development, which is why healthy schools are critical to supporting the well-being of Oregon children," said Lillian Shirley, the director of the Public Health Division at the Oregon Health Authority.

"This tool allows us to share preliminary school lead in water results clearly, and reflects our commitment to transparency."

The site is scheduled to remain online until the end of the current 2016-17 school year.

Officials say that it is not intended to replace communication with school staff or administrators. They say that parents and others should direct questions about testing results to their local district.

With increased attention to lead in water in Oregon’s public school facilities, Governor Kate Brown last spring requested that OHA and ODE review existing state programs and create a plan to address lead in school water and other environmental concerns.

"This database is an accessible and transparent resource for augmenting information that school districts are already sharing with their communities," said Rick Crager, ODE assistant superintendent of finance and administration.