SCHOOLS CHEMICAL CLEANOUT CAMPAIG
PROTECTING STUDENTS AND STAFF THROUGH RESPONSIBLE CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT
A collaborative Federal effort among the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department
of Education, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Bureau of Indian
Affairs, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Consumer Product Safety
Commission, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
WHAT is THE SCHOOLS CHEMICAL
CLEANOUT CAMPAIGN?
Through the Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign
(SC3), the federal government works
with states, tribes, and individual
schools, who have worked for years to
solve chemical management problems
that endanger K-12 students. When
they are used responsibly, chemicals
enable students to make scientific
discoveries, create works of art and
develop vocational skills. But when
they are improperly stored, outdated,
unknown or unnecessary, chemicals
can create serious health and safety
problems for children and school staff.
RESPONSIBLE CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT
KEY COMPONENTS OF A RESPONSIBLE CHEMICAL
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ARE TO:
THE GOALS OF
SC3 ARE TO:
REMOVE INAPPROPRIATE, OUTDATED,
UNKNOWN AND UNNECESSARY CHEMICALS
FROM SCHOOLS.
PREVENT FUTURE CHEMICAL
MISMANAGEMENT IN SCHOOLS THROUGH
TRAINING, CURRICULUM AND POLICY CHANGE
AND LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS.
A large majority of middle and high
schools have chemicals that, when
mismanaged, put students and staff
at risk. Across the country, chemical
hazards can be found in areas such
as:
D School chemistry laboratories;
D Art classes;
Vocational classes;
D Facility maintenance areas; and
D Janitorial closets.
RAISE AWARENESS OF CHEMICAL ISSUES
IN SCHOOLS AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE
SOLUTIONS.
VISIT THE SCHOOLS CHEMICAL
CLEANOUT CAMPAIGN WEB SITE:
www.epa.gov/sc3
Establish a chemical management
plan;
O Conduct periodic chemical inventories;
O Plan and budget for chemical
purchases, management and disposal;
D Establish environmentally preferable
purchasing practices;
D Encourage school staff to use
the smallest amount of the least
hazardous chemicals; and
D Offer chemical management safety
training for school staff.
WHY START A CHEMICAL
MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN
YOUR SCHOOL?
Chemical incidents have resulted in lost school days and
cleanup expenses that cost schools, school districts, and
communities millions of dollars. Schools that adopt and
perform responsible chemical management practices are
taking steps towards sustainable solutions that:
D Reduce chemical exposures, fires and spills that may
require costly cleanups;
O Create healthier school environments;
D Minimize school days lost to chemical cleanups;
D Decrease liability; and
O Protect the environment.
EPA530-F-07-005
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SCHOOLS CHEMICAL CLEANOUT CAMPAIG
PROTECTING STUDENTS AND STAFF THROUGH RESPONSIBLE CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT
How CAN COMMUNITY PARTNERS HELP?
The best way for a school to build a chemical management
program depends on the unique circumstances of that
school. Schools have access to a wide array of potential
partners. One of the most important steps a school can
take is to seek out and establish partnerships with external
organizations, such as state and local institutions and
companies with specialized expertise.
POTENTIAL PARTNER
CONTRIBUTIONS CAN INCLUDE:
D Technical assistance
D Training opportunities
D Waste handling and disposal
D Chemical management
D Emergency response planning
POTENTIAL SCHOOL PARTNERS
THE SC3 TOOLKIT
jr
FIRE & POLK
SCHOOL DISTRICI
ADMINISTRATORS
i & BOARD .
PARENTS &
CAREGIVERS
COLLEGES &
UNIVERSITIES
/ \
INDUSTRY
PARTNERS
V,
TRADE &
PROFESSIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS
The goal of SC3 is to protect students from mismanaged
chemicals by giving schools the tools they need to
create safer learning environments. SC3 partners have
developed a variety of tools to encourage cleanouts and
provide guidance on developing successful chemical
management programs. The following tools can be
accessed on EPA's SC3 Web site:
D "Lessons Learned" documents that discuss success
factors and identify program barriers in state and
regional SC3 programs.
D Chemical management, purchasing, and cleanout
resources.
D Brochures describing the roles K-12 schools and
community partners play in chemical management
programs.
D Presentations on chemical management and hazard
awareness for use by teachers, administrators, and
state officials.
EPA530-F-07-005
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