EPA's Healthy Schools Checklist
EPA has created this voluntary assessment to help you reduce and prevent exposures to common
environmental health hazards in your school. This tillable PDF was adapted from the quick
assessment in the brochure Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments. For more
information, view EPA's Healthy Schools website.
Date:	
Name:	
Position:	
School/School District:	
Asbestos
Does the school have a readily available asbestos management plan?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Have all building operations and maintenance staff reviewed the asbestos management plan and understand how to
minimize potential disturbance to ACM?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
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Asthma and Asthma Triggers
Are there policies that discourage the use of birds or furry animals such as mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits as pets in the
school's classrooms?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Is the school's cleaning staff encouraged to use environmentally friendly cleaning products and "wet" dusting techniques
whenever possible?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Are classrooms free of clutter? Are they dusted regularly? Are stuffed animals and pillows washed frequently?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Buses and Vehicle Idling
Have anti-idling policies been developed and implemented for buses that serve the school?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
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Have anti-idling zones been established for all vehicles at the schools (school buses, delivery trucks, and parents' ca
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Are all passenger pickup/drop off areas located away from school's air intake supply, classroom windows, and exit
doors?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Carbon Monoxide
Does the school's maintenance staff inspect and document the condition and findings for all gas-burning
appliances, furnaces, and water heaters yearly to ensure they are properly operating?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Have carbon monoxide detectors been installed in the school near appliances that burn natural gas, oil, wood, or
gas?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:

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Chemical Management
Does the school conduct a yearly inventory of all chemicals present?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Does the school have a policy that prohibits any unauthorized toxic or hazardous chemicals from being brought into the
school?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Are all chemicals properly labeled, stored in original containers, dated as to when they entered the school, and have
accompanying MSDS information on site?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Are all toxic or hazardous chemicals stored in appropriate containers, separated by hazard category, in a ventilated, fire
resistant, and locked area or cabinet?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
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Does the school conduct cleanouts of all chemicals that are unnecessary, outdated and posing a health risk on a regular
basis?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Does the school ensure proper training of staff involved with chemical management? Are students properly trained
before handling toxic or hazardous chemicals?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Drinking Water
If your school receives its drinking water from your own source, you are required to comply with a series of regulations
under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Is the water tested according to regulations and are the results documented?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Are water faucets, fountain screens, and aerators regularly cleaned and sanitized?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
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Does the school have policies and procedures in place to prevent the disposal of hazardous substances down the toilets
and/or dumping into storm drains?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Educational, Art and Science Supplies
Does your school have a policy to ensure that art materials, school supplies, and toys purchased are labeled
"Conforms to ASTM D4236"? (* All formulations of art materials that are offered for sale to consumers of all ages in
the United States must be evaluated by a toxicologist for their potential to cause adverse chronic health effects,
prior to such products being offered for sale. Please see the Consumer Product and Safety Commission's Art
Materials Business Guidance for more information).
After the chronic hazard review has been performed by a toxicologist, the toxicologist will then recommend the
appropriate statement to label that the product conforms to ASTM D-4236.
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Do school policies encourage minimizing exposure to hazardous materials by:
-	substituting less- or nonhazardous materials where possible for classroom activities;
-	prohibiting food consumption around hazardous chemicals; and
-	washing hands often?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
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Is the school staff reminded to follow the precautionary recommendations listed on the labels?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Does the school have updated Material Safety Data Sheets for all products being used?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Energy Efficiency
Are lights turned off when not in use or when natural daylight can be used?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Are thermostats set back in the evening and at other times when the building is unoccupied?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
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Does the school track energy performance, perform monthly maintenance of heating and cooling equipment, educate
students and staff about how their behaviors affect energy use, and use systems and controls that improve light quality,
and heating and cooling as part of an energy efficiency program?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Extreme Heat Events
Does the school advise the students to wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing during extreme heat
events?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Does the school limit physical exertion outdoors during days with unhealthy air conditions or periods of extreme heat?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Indoor Air Quality/Ventilation
Does the school currently implement a proactive IAQ management program such as the "Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools
for Schools" program?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
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Does the school have a tobacco-free campus policy?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Does the school maintenance staff have a regular cleaning schedule for unit ventilators, supply air diffusers, return
registers, outside air intakes, and commission the HVAC system a minimum of once every five years?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Are condensate pans clean, unobstructed and do they drain properly?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Are unit ventilators clear of books, papers, and other items and other items that would block or hinder air flow?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
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Lead
Are the walls and interior surfaces free of cracking, chipping, or peeling paint, especially around doors or windows
where painted surfaces rub together?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Are exterior walls and other large structures in the school grounds free of cracking, chipping, or peeling paint?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Does the school or school district provide a pre-renovation notification to staff and parents prior to construction
activity?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Are all demolition and renovation activities impacting lead containing paint or other building materials in the school
undertaken by "certified" and properly trained contractors?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
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Do students wash their hands before snacks, lunch, and after recess?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Mercury
Has an inventory of all chemicals, materials, and equipment containing mercury been completed?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Does the school have a mercury spill kit and spill response plan readily available on site?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Mold and Moisture Control
Is humidity in the school building maintained below 60%, and ideally between 30% and 50% where possible?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
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Does the school maintenance staff repair all leaking plumbing and roof leaks in the building as soon as possible?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Is the school building (walls/ceilings/floors) free of wetness or condensation?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Does the school maintenance staff clean and dry any wet or damp spots consistently within 48 hours?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
PCBs in Caulk and Fluorescent Light Ballasts
Has the school determined whether the fluorescent light ballasts contain PCBs? If so, have the lighting fixtures in
the school been retrofitted to adequately remove potential PCB hazards using the recommendations available in the
documents off of EPA's Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Building Materials web page?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
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Has the school followed the recommendations available in the documents off of EPA's Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
in Building Materials web page for potential PCB-containing caulk?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Pesticides and Pest Management
Do all floors in food service areas and classrooms where food is served get cleaned and mopped daily?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Are all food items stored securely in sealable containers or canisters?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Is all garbage bagged, completely closed, and placed in dumpsters outside the school building daily?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
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Are there high-density door sweeps installed on all doors to keep out mice, rats, and roaches?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Are all open spaces around utility pipes coming into the building blocked with copper mesh wire or other material to
hinder entrance into the building by pests?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Does the school have screens installed on all operable windows?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:
Radon
Have all the first floor and basement classrooms of the school been tested for the presence of radon with results
documented and available for public review?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
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If the classroom radon levels exceed four picocuries per liter (pCi/), has the school or school district installed radon
mitigation systems?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
UV Radiation
Does the school post the daily UV Index to help staff protect students' overexposure to the sun?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Are students encouraged to wear protective, lightweight clothing and/or sunscreen for recess during times of peak sun
intensity?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
Does the school have ample areas of shade to minimize time spent in the sunlight?
OYes	ONo	O N/A
Notes:
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Waste Reduction
Does the school have an active waste reduction/recycling policy in place that promotes resource conservation, the
purchasing of more environmentally friendly products, pre-post waste reduction audits, student involvement, and a
curriculum that supports waste reduction and recycling?
O Yes	O No	O N/A
Notes:

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