Building Successful Programs to Address
Chemical Risks in Schools:
Summaries of State, Tribal, and Local School Chemical
Cleanout Programs
FINAL
EPA530-K-07-004
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of and SC3
Potentially dangerous chemicals can be found in K-12 schools across the country. Every year,
accidental spills of these chemicals endanger students and staff; result in lost school days: and
cost millions of dollars to clean up. In many cases these spills are preventable. EPA and state
agencies have found that a large majority of middle and high schools have outdated, unknown,
improperly stored or unnecessary chemicals, potentially putting students and staff at risk. Due to
the toxic nature of these chemicals, for some of these chemicals even one ounce can be extremely
hazardous. Furthermore, students often have not developed the necessary skills to recognize the
dangers these chemicals present when improperly managed. Therefore, proper chemical
management is one of the most important issues that a school must address in order to create a
safe learning environment for students and a healthy workplace for teachers and staff.
Chemical mismanagement in schools has been an important issue in many states, districts, and
localities for some time. This document summarizes the experiences of several state, tribal, and
local school chemical management programs across the country. The summaries highlight
elements such as funding sources, partnerships, training, and responsible chemical management
practices. In addition to the programs summarized in this document, there are links to states that
have developed chemical management guidance or regulations.
Approaches to developing responsible chemical management programs must be flexible and allow
for adding components in phases when resources and conditions are right for your school. While
each school has its own set of unique circumstances, the need for responsible chemical
management practices that ensure schools are safe from chemical risks is common among all. The
experiences and practical knowledge summarized in this document will improve efforts to prevent
chemical mismanagement in schools, and protect students, teachers, staff, and the environment
EPA is building on the state, tribal, and local programs in the development of the Schools Chemical
Cleanout Campaign (SC3), providing tools to SC3 partners designed to protect students from
chemical exposures and improving chemical management in K-12 schools. Through the SC3, we
hope to raise public awareness of chemical hazards and provide tools to prevent chemical
exposures, remove unnecessary chemicals from schools and encourage responsible chemical
management and safety practices. The most effective means of addressing each is through
partnering with businesses and organizations in the local community. To support this campaign,
SC3 partners have developed a variety of tools that encourage participation in cleanout efforts and
provide guidance on developing successful chemical cleanout programs. Please visit the SC3
Web site at http://www.epa.gov/sc3 for additional materials that will help in the development of a
sustainable chemical management program.
The SC3 program addresses all potentially harmful chemicals found in schools, though additional
programs by the EPA and others have specifically targeted mercury management in schools. While
mercury is not the primary focus of the SC3 program, selected mercury management programs are
included in the appendix to this document. For more information on State Mercury School
Programs, please visit EPA's Mercury Web site:
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/mercury/school.htm
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af a
The chart on the following pages illustrates SC3 program partners, funding sources, and
components of the programs discussed in this document. If you are viewing this on the Web you
can easily skip to a state's full program summary by clicking on the state's name. Some program
summaries also contain additional Web links for more information.
Categories in the "program elements" area of the chart include:
* Regulations/Guidelines - state or local regulations or guidelines that are relevant to
hazardous chemicals in schools.
* Chemical Inventory: - a program that has a specific chemical inventory component.
* Waste disposal - a program that includes chemical removal and disposal of unwanted,
excess, dangerous, or inappropriate chemicals.
* Training - a program that includes a training component for relevant school staff on aspects
of conducting a chemical inventory, cleanout, and responsible chemical management.
* Responsible Chemical Management - a program that includes development and
implementation of practices to sustain long-term chemical management such as purchasing
policies or chemical hygiene plans.
* Compliance/Technical Assistance a program that offers resources to schools to assist in
implementation of program components during the life of the SC3 program and beyond.
* Additional Tools/Resources - a program that provides a variety of resources to assist with
program implementation such as Web sites, templates, manuals, or experts to call for
assistance.
The state, tribal, and local programs in this chart and the summaries contained in this document
are listed alphabetically by state.
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Summaries of State, Tribal, and Local SC3 Programs
STATE, TRIBAL, AND LOCAL SC3 PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE
State
Alabama
Poarch Band
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Indians (AL)
Arizona
Onyx SEP
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Arkansas
California
Colorado
Estes Park
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JC LEPC
Mesa County
Valley
Sheridan
School
District
Western CO
Connecticut
Florida
Idaho
Illinois
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Summaries of State, Tribal, and Local SC3 Programs
STATE, TRIBAL, AND LOCAL SC3 PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE
State
Iowa
Kansas
Learjet, Inc.
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Lansing Pilot
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Minnesota
Missouri
MWSU SEP
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Nebraska
Clean
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Plymouth
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New York
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Summaries of State, Tribal, and Local SC3 Programs
STATE, TRIBAL, AND LOCAL SC3 PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE
State
North
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DENR
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North Dakota
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Brown Univ
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
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Wisconsin
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Summaries of State, Tribal, and Local SC3 Programs
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Tribal, and SC3
The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), with assistance from EPA,
started the Schools Chemical Removal and Education project in October 2006. ADEM is working
with 36 high schools that serve environmental justice communities by helping them to inventory
and properly dispose of inappropriate and unnecessary chemicals. School faculty and
administrators will be trained in chemical management and will be provided with alternative
practices that will reduce the presence of hazardous laboratory chemicals. Participating schools
will be encouraged to modify their current science curriculum to incorporate micro-scale or small-
scale chemistry. Small-scale chemistry is a cost-effective, pollution prevention program that
reduces waste and eliminates the accrual of future wastes in participating schools. Features
include lower lab costs, right-sized materials for experiments; and a reduced hazard of spills and
glass breakage. Schools are also encouraged to participate in the Alabama Science in Motion
(ASiM) program. ASiM is a network of traveling science vans that bring modern science laboratory
equipment to high school classrooms across the state.
For more information on the Schools Chemical Removal and Education Project contact Ron Shell
of the Alabama Department of Environmental Management at (334) 271-7748 or
rts@adem.state.al.us
The of
In October 2005, The Poarch Band of Creek Indians (Alabama), with assistance from a Tennessee
Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) management team, EPA, Escambia County
High School, and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, embarked on a school
chemical cleanout effort affecting Poarch students in Escambia County, Alabama high schools. In
addition to removing chemicals, science teachers and administrators were trained using
Tennessee's Best Management Practices workshop curriculum. This curriculum teaches green
laboratory practices, as well as the best ways to store and dispose of hazardous chemicals.
Several measures of success were tracked, such as quantity, type, and toxicity class of chemicals
removed, disposal cost, distance to disposal site, and other related economic factors. The effort
focused on three schools chosen by the Poarch, directly benefiting 1,481 students, including 177
Native American students. The cleanout resulted in disposal of 445 pounds of hazardous lab
chemicals, including five pounds of mercury. The disposal was coordinated with Alabama's
Agricultural Pesticide Disposal program. TDEC continues to work with other schools in southern
Alabama.
For more information on the Poarch Band's SC3 effort, please contact Troy Pierce at (251) 368-
9136 x2683 or tpierce@poarchcreekindians-nsn.gov Information on the Poarch Band of Creek
Indians partnership is also available on the EPA Web site, located at:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/oarm/igms egf.nsf/fca67ba1d90470b585256fb6006df291/871d3dd6d8a2e
ce18525707c001ba674!QpenDocument
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Summaries of State, Tribal, and Local SC3 Programs
SC3 Results: Highlights from Mesa Unified School
District #4
* Reduced chemical usage in the schools by 15 percent
and eliminated 14 chemical products.
<» Eliminated the practice of accepting household
chemicals by the schools.
* Cleared custodial closets of unauthorized chemicals.
* Raised awareness about preventing chemical hazards
in science and agriculture programs.
* Aligned the curriculum with the necessary chemicals for
classroom activities.
<» Disposed all chemicals that were outdated,
unnecessary, and incompatible.
Mesa Unified School District #4
The largest public school district in
Arizona, Mesa Unified School District #4,
has developed a comprehensive program
to minimize the presence and use of
hazardous chemicals in schools. The
program has three primary components.
The first component, Integrated Pest
Management, is a system to prevent
unacceptable levels of pest damage with
the least possible hazard to people,
property, and the environment. The
second component is Custodial Chemical
Standardization, which aims to clean out
large stockpiles of accumulated custodial
chemicals. The third component is the
Chemical Inventory program, which is
focused on secondary schools that have
accumulated and improperly stored
chemicals from the Science and
Agriculture programs. The District has
already begun to see results, which are
detailed in the adjacent box.
For more information on this chemical management program, please contact Rick Michalek,
Director of Operations, Mesa Public Schools on (480) 472-6000 or remichal@mpsaz.org
Onyx Special Services, Inc. Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP)
Onyx provides companies with hazardous waste recycling services for fluorescent lights and
ballasts, lamps, transformers, batteries, mercury waste, and PCBs. To remedy federal and state
hazardous waste violations, Onyx has agreed to a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP). A
SEP is an environmentally beneficial project that a regulation violator voluntarily agrees to perform
as part of a settlement of an
enforcement action. In return, EPA
agrees to reduce the monetary
penalty that would otherwise apply
as a result of the violation. Onyx
will spend $125,000 to collect and
dispose of unwanted hazardous
chemicals from Phoenix school
chemistry labs.
SC3 Program Design: Alternative Funding Sources
A Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) is an
environmentally beneficial project that a regulation violator
voluntarily agrees to perform as part of a settlement of an
enforcement action. SEPs may be used to assist with
various SC3 program efforts depending on the stipulations of
the settlement. SEPs are not a renewable source of funding
or resources, but may be used to assist with aspects of SC3
implementation. SC3 program implementers may consider
working with federal, state, or local partners to explore
potential opportunities to leverage SEPs.
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Tribal, and SC3
For more information on this SEP, please go to EPA Region 9's SEP Web site at:
http://www.epa.gov/region09/enforcement/eov03/2003seps.html
The Arkansas Science Teachers Association and the Arkansas Department of Education
developed the Laboratory Safety Guide for Arkansas K-12 Schools. The guide contains
information for school facilities on Arkansas State Board of Education Guidelines, Federal Safety
Rulings, and general safety precautions. Also, this document contains sample forms schools may
find useful to ensure school science safety.
For more information on the Laboratory Safety Guide, please contact Penny Wilson of the
Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality on (501) 682-0868 or at Wilson@adeq.state.ar.us
For a copy of the Laboratory Safety Guide, please visit the Arkansas Department of Education
Web site, located at: http://arkedu.state.ar.us/curriculum/pdf/lab safe2.pdf
Los for
In compliance with California regulations, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has
developed a Chemical Hygiene and Safety Plan (CHSP). LAUSD used district and EPA SC3 funds
to implement the CHSP. This effort is part of a larger program targeting school environmental
issues.
The pilot program focused on disposing unused laboratory chemicals and ensuring stored
chemicals are placed in proper containers. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS)
provided training and guidance for chemical safety coordinators, science teachers, and plant
managers. Additionally, LAUSD used a tracking system to verify the amounts of chemicals in
schools. LAUSD has reached 47 schools and removed 3,283 pounds of hazardous chemicals,
positively affecting 116,802 students. Although the pilot program for laboratory chemicals ended in
July 2005, OEHS will continue implementing prevention measures at all school sites.
For more information on the Pilot Program for Laboratory Chemicals, please contact Soe Aung,
Environmental Compliance Manager, Los Angeles Unified School District at soe.aung@lausd.net
Information about the Chemical Hygiene Plans and approved laboratory chemicals is available on
the Office of Environmental Health and Safety Web site, located at: http://www.lausd-
oehs.org/chemical-hygiene.asp
of
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued a self-assessment
document to assist schools in complying with chemical management and other rules and
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and SC3
regulations governing schools in the State of Colorado. The document presents a series of
questions for schools to answer regarding lab, industrial, art, and vocational hazards.
For more information on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment self-
assessment, please contact Lynette Myers, Administrator, Environmental Leadership Program on
(303) 692-3477 or at lynette.myers@state.co.us You may also contact Therese Pilonetti-Hall on
(303) 692-3642 or at therese.pilonetti@state.co.us
Information on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment self-assessment is
located at:
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/cp/lnstitutions/schools/ChemslnSchools/SelfAssessment.PDF-
search=%22colorado%20schools%20chemical%
With assistance from EPA Region 8, Estes Park High School plans to develop a Standard
Operating Procedure for safe operation of school science experiments requiring chemicals. The
school will also create partnerships with the Larimer County Department of Health and
Environment and the University of Northern Colorado. Additionally, the school will train science,
chemistry, technology, and art teachers in the safe use, storage, and disposal of chemicals.
Unused, unsafe, outdated, and unnecessary chemicals will be collected and disposed of
responsibly.
For more information on the Standard Operating Procedure, please contact Karen Classman on
(970) 586-2361 X3006 or at Karen.Glassman@psdr3.k12.co.us
The Indian Country School Laboratory Hazard Consultation Program is a cooperative effort
involving Indian Country schools, EPA Region 8 program offices, and public and private sector
partners. This coalition is
SC3 Program Design: committed to creating a school
Focus on Native American Populations laboratory environment in which
chemicals are purchased wisely,
EPA Region 8 is partnering with schools in Colorado's Indian stored safely, handled by trained
Country to address responsible chemical management. The personnel, used responsibly, and
program is designed to meet the unique needs of schools in disposed responsibly.
Indian Country.
The purpose of the Program is to
This SC3 program developed informational materials that will deye| fie|(j ^ and imp|ement a
help sustain long-term responsible chemical management. SchoQ|s Chemjca| c|eanQut
These include: _ ., . ....
Campaign that is specifically
* Preventive measures for school laboratories; adaPted to meet the uniclue needs
* Hazardous waste management for school and circumstances of schools in
laboratories; and Indian Country.
* Resources for identifying and correcting
environmental hazards in tribal schools. These tools and resources were
developed to assist teams of
properly trained volunteers and
professionals, who will visit schools
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Summaries of State, Tribal, and Local SC3 Programs
in Indian Country to review the conditions in school laboratories and report their findings to school
authorities. In addition to reporting findings, the teams will provide information and assistance on
ways the school can responsibly dispose unwanted materials, address problem chemicals and
equipment deficiencies, and lower the risks of future problems or liabilities through responsible
chemical management.
For further information on The Indian Country School Laboratory Hazard Consultation Program,
please contact Matt Langenfeld, EPA Region 8, on (303) 312-6284 or at
langenfeld.matthew@epa.gov
Jefferson County Local Emergency Planning Committee
The Jefferson County Local Emergency Planning Committee (JCLEPC) provided assistance to
Colorado public schools by developing policy guidelines for procuring environmentally preferable
chemicals to help curb the use of toxic chemicals in chemistry lab exercises. JCLEPC will develop
training and policy guidelines that can be adopted statewide. The program is aimed at a rural
community and has a solid commitment from various stakeholders (i.e., the applicant has
established a good working relationship with their Local Environmental Planning Commission
members).
For more information on the Jefferson county Local Emergency Planning Committee, please
contact Christina Aquilera, Jeffco Public Schools, on (303) 982-2350 or at
caquilvera@ieffco.k12.co.us
Mesa County Valley School District #51, Grand Junction
With assistance from EPA Region 8, Mesa County Valley School District #51 is removing all
chemicals prohibited by the State of Colorado from schools and reducing restricted chemicals by
30 percent. The program will identify and responsibly dispose excess and unwanted chemicals
and, to reduce future accumulations of chemicals, the program will encourage the use of micro-
scale laboratories and inventory sharing to reduce accumulations of chemicals. Chemical safety
training will be provided to all teachers and administrators, and personnel will be available to
provide assistance and consultation to other districts.
For more information on Mesa County Valley School District #51's chemical management program,
please contact Charles Pope of Mesa County Public Schools on (970) 254-7525 or at
cpope(5)mesa.k12.co.us
Sheridan School District #2, Arapahoe County
Sheridan School District #2, with assistance from EPA Region 8, will conduct an inventory of
chemicals at the middle and high school. Higher risk chemicals such as mercury, cyanide, arsenic,
and acidic anhydride will be prioritized for early removal and proper disposal. New policies will be
adopted for the purchase, storage, and handling of laboratory chemicals. The District will provide
training and education of schoolteachers. Chemicals will be inventoried and tracked to eliminate
accumulation and minimize hazards to school students.
For more information on Sheridan School District #2's chemical management program, please
contact Jim Abrahamsen of Sheridan County Public Schools, on (720)-833-6907 or at
abrahamsen@sheridan.k12.co.us
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Tribal, and SC3
for
The Mesa County, Colorado Health Department purchased software from the Journal of Chemical
Education (JCE) to assist with chemical management and prevention. The software purchase was
made possible through a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
with funds available from the U.S. Preventative Health and Health Services. The software
purchased includes ChemPages Laboratory, General Chemistry Multimedia Problems, and
Periodic Table Live!, which are a part of JCE's General Chemistry Collection. In an effort to reduce
and prevent the risk of hazardous chemicals to students and staff in middle and high schools, the
County also created School Chemical Safety Web pages to assist in the management of school
laboratory chemicals. The Web site provides a link to School Chemical Safety Education Online, a
site that gives teachers the ability to show students dynamic experiments without the risk and cost
associated with purchasing, storing and disposing of hazardous chemicals.
For more information on the Western Colorado Regional Resource Teams for School Chemical
Safety, please contact Monique Mull of Mesa County Public Schools at (970) 248-6962 or
Monique.Mull(5)mesacounty.us Information is also available on the Mesa County Health
Department Web site, located at: http://health.mesacounty.us/environment/schoolchemicals.cfm
Oil
United Oil Recovery of Connecticut - a waste treatment and storage facility - entered into a
consent agreement with EPA, which included a Supplemental Environmental Project through which
over 100 Connecticut K-12 schools received assistance with their chemical management. The
company funded the purchase of chemical storage cabinets for schools, and also offset disposal
costs.
For more information on this Supplemental Environmental Project, please contact Amelia Katzen of
EPA Region I at (617) 918-1869 or Katzen.Amelia@epa.gov
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, in partnership with the Florida Department of
Education, is coordinating a school science laboratory cleanout endeavor as part of the
Environmental Protection Agency's SC3 Program. The SC3 partnership is designed to assist
school districts in compliance assistance, safety training, and waste disposal. The program
includes hazardous waste compliance assistance inspections at public schools throughout the
state. The program also includes follow-up inspections within months of the initial inspections to
determine if violations and unsafe practices have been corrected. An additional four counties have
been selected for an SC3 pilot project.
For more information on the school science laboratory cleanout, please contact Ms. Kathy Gaynor,
Environmental Engineer, Hazardous Waste Regulation Section, Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, on (850) 245-8782 or at: kathy.gaynor@dep.state.fl.us
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Tribal, and SC3
More information on the Florida Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign is available on the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection's Web site, located at:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/hazardous/pages/schoolchemicals.htm
SC3ProqramDesiqn: Mini-Grant Appro.h
Project, conducted by the University of |dgho DEQ used g mjnj t h thgt offered
Idaho with assistance from the Idaho $1000 to schools to jump-start their chemical
Department of Environmental Quality management activities. These grants:
(DEQ), revealed that schools in Idaho have
accumulated a significant amount of »:» Provided an incentive to schools to cover
hazardous chemicals. Many Idaho schools the cost of performing the remaining
also lack knowledge of proper disposal chemical management activities.
procedures. As a result, DEQ partnered * Maximized a limited amount of funding to
with local waste handlers, universities, benefit more schools.
community leaders, and school officials to
develop strategies for removing chemicals
from schools. EPA provided funding for the
initial effort focused on schools in the Boise area, and the program was eventually expanded
statewide. The success of this effort prompted DEQ to provide additional funding to support the
effort. The combined EPA and DEQ funds provided 22 schools with assistance in identifying,
categorizing, and disposing chemicals. DEQ used a "mini-grant" approach that offered schools
$1,000 toward chemical removal. The schools were required to provide the remaining funds to
cover the cost of chemical management activities. DEQ also leveraged a college-level intern to
assist in developing educational materials and provide technical assistance to support the program.
The program resulted in the removal of 1,411 pounds of hazardous chemicals. Two school
personnel training sessions focused on preventing future chemical management problems took
place in the autumn of 2006. DEQ is looking into ways to fund additional cleanouts.
For more information on the SEP, please contact Patti Best of the Idaho Department of
Environmental Quality at (208) 373-0146 or Patti.Best@deq.idaho.gov Information about the SEP
is also available on the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality's Web site, located at:
http://www.deq. idaho.gov/waste/educ_tools/chemical_roundup.cfm
As part of the Illinois Sustainable Schools Project, the Illinois Waste Management and Research
Center and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) provide free facility chemical
management assessments (FCMA) to Illinois schools. FCMAs consist of a review of chemical
inventories as well as storage, management, and disposal practices for both laboratory and facility
chemical use. These assessments assist in the implementation of an inventory system to track
purchase, quantity, and disposal of chemicals used for facility maintenance and curricula at
participating schools. These assessments also assist with the segregation, inventory, and
packaging of chemicals identified for disposal. Under state law, IEPA is required to collect
chemicals from schools once every three years. IEPA provides the means to properly dispose of
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and
the chemicals on a priority basis, as determined by IEPA. As of May 2006, IEPA has assisted 394
school cleanouts resulting in more than 1,009 fifty-five gallon drums of hazardous waste collected
and properly disposed.
IEPA has several programs that are designed to improve the ability of schools to provide a safe
and healthy environment for all those who use their facilities. The lEPA's Office of Pollution
Prevention delivers a workshop to teachers, which provides information on several issues,
including:
Safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals used in science classes;
Procedures for safely using and storing hazardous educational materials;
Location of educational materials on hazards in science rooms; and
How to safely dispose of mercury.
Attendance at the workshop is mandatory for the teachers. As of May 2006, the program has
conducted a total of 28 Safe Chemicals in Education Workshops, with over 388 teachers having
attended. The program has also sponsored six workshops on green building supplies for school
custodial staff.
For more information on the Illinois Sustainable Schools Project, please contact Becky Lockart of
the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency at (217) 524-9642 or becky.lockart@epa.state.il.us
Information is also available on lEPA's Green School Program Web site, located at:
http://www.epa.state.il.us/p2/green-schools/index.html
The Indiana Clean Sweeps Program focuses on removing unlabelled, unknown, expired, and
unnecessary chemicals from chemical storage closets and classrooms, and training school staff on
proper chemical management. According to the 2005 Indiana Pollution Prevention Annual Report,
the Clean Sweeps Program, made possible by Indiana Department of Environmental Management
(IDEM) and EPA, assisted schools with the removal of unwanted, unstable, and unused chemicals
from their science laboratories. Hundreds of bottles of chemicals were removed from schools as a
result of this Program. In 2002 and 2003, a total of 21 schools received the free inventory services
and had chemicals packed, transported, and recycled or disposed of free of charge.
IDEM started Round 3 of the Clean Sweeps program in August 2005, resulting in cleaned out labs
in 20 schools, with 12 additional schools scheduled for cleanout in 2006. IDEM is currently
exploring funding options to assist these 12 schools. Chemicals not targeted for removal are
reorganized to help teachers establish a more efficient storage system. Teachers are also given
information on how to conduct some common experiments with less hazardous materials and
smaller quantities of chemicals, while achieving the same desired results.
Participating schools are also given other logistical- and maintenance-oriented suggestions to
improve the operational efficiency of their labs. Suggestions include: purchasing a steel cabinet for
storage of flammables; installing smoke detectors and fire extinguishers; putting chemicals in a
single storage location; having Material Safety Data Sheets and chemical inventories readily
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and SC3
available; installing lips on shelves and obtaining doors with locking mechanisms to prevent
accidental spills; and ensuring the chemical storage room has its own ventilation system.
For more information on the Indiana Clean Sweeps Program, please contact Kendall Martin of the
Idaho Department of Environmental Management on (317) 234-4048 or at krmartin@idem.in.gov
Information on the Clean Sweeps Program is also available on the IDEM Web site, located at:
http://www.in.gov/idem/your_environment/education/schoolnews/cleansweep.html
EPA Region 7 currently facilitates the Iowa school cleanout effort through on-site compliance
assistance visits and a partnership with Des Moines Metro Waste Authority (MWA). As of
December 2006, 200 schools of 366 have been assessed, and 222,446 pounds of hazardous
chemicals were removed. Of the 200 schools assessed, high-hazard (time-sensitive) materials
were removed from 97 schools. The Iowa program not only focuses on the removal of excess
laboratory chemicals, but also waste storage practices; responsible chemical management; and,
education of teachers, administrators, and facilities personnel. The MWA has been supporting SC3
efforts in Iowa since approximately 2000. EPA funding has allowed MWA to reach out to more
schools and develop a series of training sessions to complement the efforts, and well over 50
training sessions have been conducted. MWA has been successful in partnering with EMC
Insurance Companies (EMC) to expand the program throughout the state and ensure chemical
management efforts are in place for years to come. EMC works with insured schools to implement
responsible chemical management activities. This ensures that schools are adequately trained in
chemical management practices. The school staff completes extensive training that focuses on
environmental compliance awareness, waste stream identification, alternatives, and a review
process for the on site assessment.
For more information on the Iowa school cleanout and compliance assistance effort, please contact
Ed Buckner of EPA Region 7 at (913) 551-7621 or buckner.edwin@epa.gov Contact Judi
Mendenhall or Becky Wehrman of the Des Moines Metro Waste Authority on (515) 967-5512 to
learn more about their training sessions. For more information on EMC Insurance Companies'
efforts to address chemical management in Iowa schools, please contact Kent A. Candee at (515)
345-2728 or Kent.A.Candee@emcins.com
In April 2002, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) launched a statewide
Lab Sweep Program aimed at removing obsolete or unwanted potentially hazardous chemicals
from secondary school laboratories. The one-time collection program was offered to all public and
private secondary schools free of charge. Funding for the program originated from the $1.00 per
ton solid waste tipping fee paid to the state for all waste disposed at landfills. The program served
secondary schools in 91 of the 105 counties in Kansas. Additionally, KDHE provided chemical
assessment and disposal services to any school willing to sign an agreement affirming that they
are making a good faith effort to manage, store, and label chemicals properly and make wise
purchasing decisions. As of January 2005, KDHE reported that 194 schools have participated and
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nearly 12,000 containers of hazardous waste have been removed. KDHE is currently evaluating
whether to extend the program to junior college laboratories.
For more information on the Kansas Lab Chemical Sweep program, please contact Maria Morey of
the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at (785) 296-161 1 or
mmorey@kdhe.state.ks.us
Inc. SEP
In a November 2006 settlement with EPA, Learjet, Inc. agreed to initiate a Supplemental
Environmental Project (SEP) to benefit Kansas school districts near Wichita. The purpose of the
SEP is to identify a school needing assistance with management of hazardous wastes in chemistry
laboratories, art departments, photography departments, shop departments and facilities. Learjet
will provide assistance in collecting, labeling, packaging, transporting, treatment, and/or disposal of
hazardous materials and training of school personnel at no cost to the school.
For more information on the Learjet, Inc. SEP, please contact Ed Buckner of EPA Region 7 at
(913) 551-7621 or buckner.edwin@epa.gov
The Kentucky Department of Education, in cooperation with the Center for School Safety, the State
Fire Marshall, the Department of Health, Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Program, the
Kentucky Science Teachers Association, and a private laboratory safety consultant, created a CD-
ROM-based tool. The CD promotes and ensures best practices, current information, and readily
accessible resources and recommendations related to safety issues in the science classroom and
laboratory. The CD also includes both professional and regulatory standards specifically for
Kentucky teachers and students and provides practical resources for creating and maintaining a
science safety plan, including a chemical management component.
For more information on the CD-ROM tool, please contact Karen Kidwell of the Kentucky
Department of Education at (502) 564-2106 or at karen.kidwell@education.ky.gov
In 2003 and 2004, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conducted a mercury
and chemical cleanout program for schools. Through the program, 6,500 pounds of chemicals and
over 1,000 gallons of hazardous wastes and 800 pounds of mercury were removed from science
labs, maintenance departments, art classrooms, vocational classrooms, and nurses' stations in 80
schools. Radioactive materials were also discovered in nearly a dozen schools, and were
subsequently removed. As part of the program, DEP, in partnership with the Department of Labor,
also held chemical management workshops for school faculty.
In 2005, as a result of the growing concern over hazardous chemicals in public schools, the Maine
legislature directed the Departments of Education and Environmental Protection to develop
recommendations for assisting school districts. The resulting stakeholder group recommended
hiring a statewide chemical coordinator as well as local and regional coordinators to ensure sound
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and
chemical management programs in schools. Legislation will likely occur in 2007 with respect to the
recommendations of the stakeholders group.
In 2006, the Department of Education coordinated a cleanout effort for nearly 75 schools.
Chemicals were cleaned out of schools at each school's own expense, but at a pre-negotiated
reduced rate available through a particular vendor.
For more information on chemicals in Maine schools, please contact Ed Antz, Education Specialist,
Maine Department of Education on (207) 624-6886 or at Ed.Antz@maine.gov Information is also
available on the Maine Department of Education Web site, located at:
http://www.maine.gov/education/const/fmt.htm - Chemicals
The Science Safety Project Committee of the Maryland Science Supervisors Association has
developed a Science Safety Manual. The committee produced a manual that guides schools in
making instructional decisions that would support improved performance for all students. The
Manual communicates clearly the best safety practices in the science classroom and laboratory
and provides guidelines for School Science safety, including guidelines for managing, handling,
and disposing of hazardous chemicals.
For more information on the Science Safety Manual, please visit:
http://www.mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/science/safety/
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has developed a program
to help school administrators address hazardous chemicals in their schools. Since 2002, School
Chemical Management Grants are available through MassDEP's Municipal Waste Reduction Grant
Program. As of early 2007, 32 grants have been awarded. Each participating school is required to
form an environmental health and safety team comprised of administrators, science and art
teachers, facilities managers, and a local public safety officer.
MassDEP seeks to prevent future hazardous chemical problems by offering technical assistance
and a one-day training session, which is required for at least three members of the school's
Environmental, Health, and Safety team. Participants also receive copies of the
Massachusetts School Chemical Management Program Manual. MassDEP reimburses
participating schools up to $5,000 for clean-out services provided by hazardous waste contractors.
The one-day training sessions are also open to communities that did not receive a grant so that the
information about responsible chemical management reaches a broader audience.
For more information on the MassDEP program, please contact Tina Klein at (617) 292-5704 or
tina.klein@state.ma.us Information about the program is also available on the MassDEP Web site,
located at: http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/compliance/schlchem.htm
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(P2)
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Community Pollution Prevention (P2)
Grant Program seeks to address school chemical waste reduction of by cleaning out excess,
legacy, unused, and improperly stored chemicals and requiring the implementation of toxic
chemical waste minimization procedures in schools. The Community P2 Grant Program receives
funding through the Cleanup and Redevelopment Trust Fund with interest earned on unclaimed
beverage container deposits. MDEQ awarded $211,120 to 11 communities in 2005. A total of
$250,000 in funding through the Community P2 Grant Program was available to address waste
reduction of school chemicals in 2006. Organizations receiving grant funds are required by law to
match at least 25 percent of those funds. The goal of the Community P2 Grant Program is to
promote innovative local P2 initiatives that could act as models of sustainability to be shared by
other communities across the state. EPA has also partnered with MDEQ to carry out school
chemical cleanouts, including on-site non-regulatory audits, training, technical assistance and
disposals in three Michigan communities 2004 through 2006.
Information on the Michigan DEQ Community Prevention (P2) Grant Program is available by
contacting Robert McCann of the Community Pollution Prevention Grant Program on (517) 241-
7397. Additional information on the grant entitled Pollution Prevention Grants Keep Schools Safe
is found on the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality's Web site, located at:
http://www.michigan.goV/deq/0,1607,7-135-33083323-120449-00.html
In February 2005, U.S.EPA, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, General Motors,
Chemical Strategies Partnership, and the Lansing Public School District partnered to demonstrate
that all organizations in a school district's supply chain can work together to improve chemical and
waste management. This transformation is achieved through a business approach known as
"servicing." Servicing approaches to chemical and waste management have proven to be long-
term, least-cost, and flexible in resolving private sector chemical and waste issues. Under this
approach, the relationship between customer and supplier changes from selling products to
receiving product services. The supplier (or service provider) covers the entire lifecycle:
Procurement, inventory management, storage, application/use, internal distribution, collection,
treatment, disposal, training, information technology, monitoring, and reporting. Benefits for the
customers include cost-savings, reduced chemical use (through improved procurement practices,
better information, and better overall management), reduced waste generation, enhanced
recycling, and improved overall compliance. Lansing selected a single service provider to provide a
Chemical and Resource Management Services (CRMS) program for all the school district facilities.
The service provider provides all chemicals, as well as chemical and resource management
services, for less cost than Lansing historically spent on chemicals and waste disposal alone.
For more information on the Lansing Pilot Project, please contact Priscilla Halloran of EPA at (703)
308-8802 or halloran.priscilla@epa.gov Information on chemical management services can also be
found on EPA's Web site, located at: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/cms.htm
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From the spring through fall of 2006, EPA,
Michigan DEQ, and The Dow Chemical
Company partnered to create a four-phase
pilot program to foster safer practices in
school laboratories in Saginaw County
schools. The four phases are:
Teacher lab training;
School audits;
School chemical collection; and
Final training designed for
administrators with follow up with
teachers.
SC3 Program Design: Industry Partnerships
EPA, Michigan DEQ, and The Dow Chemical
Company partnered to create a four-phase pilot
program to foster safer practices in school
laboratories in Saginaw County schools.
* Uses the specialized expertise and resources of
each partner that is most relevant to each phase
of the program.
* Results in creating defined partner roles that help
to ensure participation.
Each member of the partnership contributed funding or expertise to the various phases of the pilot
program. In total, 34 schools participated in the Chemical Collection Program (CCP). On
collection day, school representatives transported chemicals to a drive-through maintenance
building where a waste management company sorted and packaged them for disposal. The CCP
resulted in the collection/disposal of approximately 3,600 pounds of various chemicals. On-site
audits were conducted at 32 schools. The audits, which lasted about one hour, consisted of an
audit team inspecting chemical storage areas, speaking with teachers, and asking and answering
questions about chemical management. Each school received a completed audit checklist so that
they could follow-up on any items of concern.
For more information on the DOW Chemical Company Partnership, please contact Janet Haff of
EPA Region 5 at (312) 353-7923 or haff.ianet@epa.gov
The Minnesota Healthy Schools program is an interagency, collaborative program that works to
help schools resolve a variety of issues, such as health, performance, and sustainable responsible
chemical management. The program, initiated through a grant from EPA, offers technical
assistance, online resources, and demonstration projects. Three Minnesota schools are part of the
pilot to test ways to make their schools healthier and more chemically sustainable. The progress of
the pilots can be tracked on the Healthy Schools Web site referenced below. A component of the
program focuses on removing unsafe chemicals from laboratories and establishing better
management to prevent future problems due to hazardous chemicals.
For more information on the Minnesota Healthy Schools program, please contact Linda
Countryman at (651) 215-0269. Information is also available on the Minnesota Healthy Schools
program Web site, located at http://www.healthyschools.state.mn.us/
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Summaries of State, Tribal, and Local SC3 Programs
-MISSOURI-
Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC)
In September 2006, the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC), a voluntary council of
local governments, was awarded a grant from EPA to pilot a school laboratory cleanout and
responsible chemical management program in a seven-county region of Missouri. MRPC, in
partnership with the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District, is working with five schools to
inventory and responsibly dispose of chemicals. Additionally, school staff responsible for laboratory
chemicals will be trained in proper storage, inventory, handling, use, and disposal procedures.
MRPC intends to help participating schools improve their methods of procuring chemicals and find
safer alternatives. If this pilot project proves to be successful, MRPC plans to work with the Ozark
Rivers Solid Waste Management District to establish a continuing program in South Central
Missouri.
For more information on the Meramec Regional Planning Commission's chemical management
program, please contact Tamara Snodgrass, Manager of Environmental Programs of the Meramec
Regional Planning Commission at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org
Missouri Western State University SEP
In a November 2006 settlement with EPA, Missouri Western State University (MWSU) agreed to
initiate a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) to benefit the St. Joseph, MO, school district.
The purpose of the SEP is to identify a school needing assistance with management of hazardous
wastes in chemistry laboratories, art departments, photography departments, shop departments,
and other facilities. MWSU will provide assistance in collecting, labeling, packaging, transporting,
treatment, and/or disposal of hazardous materials at no cost to the schools.
For more information on the Missouri Western State University SEP, please contact Ed Buckner of
EPA Region 7 at (913) 551-7621 or buckner.edwin@epa.gov
-MONTAKA-
In August 2004, Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) surveyed 408 middle and
high schools statewide to collect information on the types of chemicals present in school science
labs. Over 38 percent of the schools responded,
reporting a total of 570 different chemicals. As of
June 2006, a total of seven schools and
approximately 3,000 pounds of hazardous
chemicals have been removed and responsibly
disposed. Cleanouts are planned for an
additional three schools, including two in Indian
Country.
MDEQ also organized a series of one-day
training courses on school lab chemical safety
and management during the last two weeks of
September 2005. The workshops, which were
Chemical mismanagement in a Montana school.
Photo courtesy of MDEQ.
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Tribal, and SC3
conducted by Safety and Science Education Consultants, Inc., were held in nine communities. One
hundred and fourteen teachers, administrators, and school custodians completed the workshops,
representing schools from 43 communities. The Business and Community Assistance Program of
MDEQ has received grant funding that will be used to assist schools in the proper removal and
disposal of unwanted chemicals. MDEQ has also received funding from EPA to expand the
Laboratory Cleanout Program and the funds are to be dedicated to removing chemicals from more
schools in Montana.
For more information about Montana Department of Environmental Quality's efforts, please contact
Bob Reinke on (406) 444-435 or breinke@mt.gov or Bonnie Rouse on (406) 841-5251 or
Brouse@mt.gov MDEQ has a comprehensive Web site that provides chemical management
resources on lab safety, conducting a chemical inventory, chemical purchasing, and other topics:
http://www.mdeqschoollabs.com/index.asp
In 2003, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued guidance documents on
managing and disposing school chemicals. These documents contain guidelines for the disposal of
hazardous chemicals and provide helpful hints to avoid the need for disposal in the future. The
Keep Nebraska Beautiful Materials Exchange Program has been identified as a useful resource, as
school districts may be able to provide excess, usable chemicals to another school district in need
and also attempt to pool disposal efforts among several schools or school districts to help reduce
disposal costs. The Nebraska Materials Exchange Program has encouraged businesses and
schools across the state to review disposal costs and examine the management of waste products
since its inception in 1994.
For a copy of the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality's Environmental Guidance
Document on School Chemicals and Disposal is available on the NDEQ Web site at
http://www.deq.state.ne. us/Publica.nsf/0/d9583aaae76ad49c8625690b007378a3?OpenDocument
For more information on the Materials Exchange Program, please visit the Keep Nebraska
Beautiful Web Page, located at: http://www.knb.org/exchange.html
Inc. SEP
In a February 2004 settlement with EPA, Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. (CHESI)
agreed to initiate a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) to benefit Nebraska school
districts. The SEP identifies schools needing assistance with the management of hazardous
wastes in chemistry laboratories, art departments, photography departments, shop departments
and facilities. CHESI will provide assistance in collecting, labeling, packaging, transporting,
treatment and/or disposal of hazardous materials at no cost to the schools.
For more information on the Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. SEP, please contact Ed
Buckner of EPA Region 7 at (913) 551-7621 or buckner.edwin@epa.gov
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Tribal, and SC3
New
The New Hampshire Pollution Prevention Program (NHPPP) is helping schools address their
hazardous materials management responsibilities through outreach, site visits, and assistance with
school chemical cleanouts. NHPPP staff provides free on-site assistance in schools, focusing on
the science, art, industrial arts, technology education, and custodial departments. NHPPP assists
schools by performing on site assessments to identify potential hazards associated with school
chemicals and products. NHPP also provides guidance on compliance with environmental
regulations and information on the proper disposal options for unwanted chemicals and products.
For more information about the New Hampshire Pollution Prevention Program, please contact Sara
Johnson, Pollution Prevention Program Manager, New Hampshire Department of Environmental
Services, on (603) 271-6460 or at siohnson@des.state.nh.us Information about the program is also
available on the New Hampshire Pollution Prevention in Schools Project Web page, located at:
http://www.des.state.nh.us/nhppp/schools/
State SEP
In November 2005, EPA entered into a consent agreement with Plymouth State University of
Plymouth, New Hampshire. This settlement includes payment of a $25,993 penalty, as well as
entering into an Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) with a value of $74,000, which entails
providing comprehensive hazardous material/waste management training to New Hampshire
secondary schools, and providing services for up to 20 schools to safely dispose of unusable
and/or dangerous chemicals.
For more information on the Plymouth State University SEP, please contact Sara Johnson,
Pollution Prevention Program Manager, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services on
(603) 271-6460 or at siohnson@des.state.nh. us
The Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) received funding from EPA to implement the School
Science Lab Chemicals and Mercury Removal Mini-Grant Program. BCUA plans to cleanout
hazardous waste in the 80 school districts in its area. The BCUA is the lead agency that brings the
hazardous waste vendor and the schools together. The BCUA has entered into an agreement with
a hazardous waste collection vendor, which will provide schools in eleven participating school
districts with the following services on-site: Identification, sorting, handling, packaging,
transportation and disposal of potentially hazardous chemicals. As of September 2006, four
schools have been cleaned out.
For more information about the School Science Lab Chemicals and Mercury Removal Mini-Grant
Program, please contact Linda Longo, EPA Region 2 on (212) 637-3565orlongo.Linda@epa.gov
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Summaries of State, Tribal, and Local SC3 Programs
-NEWYCRK-
In the last few years, the Rochester City School
District (RCSD) has instituted a number of
practices to improve the management and
proper disposal of hazardous materials. The
current effort targets four program areas:
Hazard communication and safe
chemical storage training for science
teachers;
Disposal of excess chemicals identified
by teachers;
Improving lab procedures to reduce
amounts of chemicals ordered; and
Restricting the acceptance of
unnecessary donated chemicals.
SC3 Program Design:
Incorporating an EMS
RCSD is developing an Environmental
Management System (EMS) as part of their SC3
program.
An EMS is a set of processes and practices that
enable an organization to reduce its
environmental impacts and increase its operating
efficiency. RCSD developed a full EMS for the
School District in order to educate:
<» Students on the District's "greener schools"
initiative; and,
<» District employees on how an EMS will result
in responsible chemical management and a
safer workplace.
This program was expanded using EPA SC3 funding. RCSD estimates that the SC3 funding
allowed the removal of 800 pounds of solid hazardous waste and 1,300 gallons of hazardous
liquids from the District chemical storage facility. Thirteen secondary schools underwent chemical
inventories to identify excess chemicals for removal and disposal.
The project also supports and showcases intergovernmental working relationships between the
City of Rochester, Monroe County, and the Rochester Institute of Technology. In addition, the
relationships developed by this effort resulted in lower chemical disposal costs for the District.
For more information about the Rochester City School District chemical management initiatives,
please contact Suzanne Wheatcraft of the Rochester City School District on (585) 262-8405 or
Suzanne.wheatcraft@rcsdk12.org
-NORTH CAROLINA-
North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Initiated through a grant from EPA, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (NC DENR) is piloting a program to remove chemicals from participating schools and
provide technical assistance, training and guidance on responsible chemical management.
Beginning in October 2006, NC DENR will conduct chemical cleanouts in 10-17 schools and work
with those schools to improve the management of lab and maintenance chemicals. NC DENR will
be training school personnel in the areas of progressive laboratory and maintenance chemical
management, Green Chemistry, Micro Chemistry, and other preventive approaches for future
chemical management. At the end of the pilot, the schools involved in the project should be able to
better manage chemical waste streams in a timely, less expensive manner. The lessons learned
from this pilot will help inform the design and implementation of future chemical management
programs.
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Summaries of State, Tribal, and Local SC3 Programs
For more information on chemical cleanouts and future chemical management programs, please
contact Elizabeth Cannon, Hazardous Waste Section Chief, Division of Waste Management, North
Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources on (919) 508-8534 or at
Elizabeth.Cannon@ncmail.net
North Carolina Total Science Safety Project
In 1995, North Carolina's Department of Public Instruction created the "North Carolina Total
Science Safety Project." This is North Carolina's version of "The Total Science Safety System," a
software tool produced in partnership with a private laboratory safety consultant. The software
assists schools in locating potential hazards such as
improperly stored chemicals; implementing required
safety guidelines; and, preventing avoidable
accidents. This software is currently available for all
school systems in North Carolina.
In addition to the chemical management software, in
August 2005, the North Carolina State Board of
Education passed the Science Laboratory Safety Policy
that requires all schools to submit a Chemical Hygiene
Plan by January 2006. Additionally, seminars were made
available for teachers, administrators, and other personnel that are involved in the school science
safety program in order to minimize hazards and misinformation and liability issues while
maximizing safety for personnel and students.
For more information on the North Carolina Total Science Safety Project, please contact Clara
Stallings of North Carolina's Department of Public Instruction at (919) 715-1853 or
Cstallin@dpi.state.nc.us
-NORTH DAKOTA-
In 2005, North Dakota Department of Health received funding from EPA that assisted high school
chemistry and science facilities to initiate a chemical cleanout program. The North Dakota's school
cleanout program resulted in:
Two safe alternatives implemented to replace persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic
chemicals and/or manage high-risk chemicals;
28.5 pounds of mercury/mercury compounds removed;
Nine schools participated in a school cleanout; and,
2100 students positively affected.
While the particular effort described above has been completed, the Department of Health
continues to assist schools with their chemical cleanout projects.
For more information on North Dakota's chemical cleanout projects, please contact Robert Disney,
North Dakota Department of Health, Environmental Health Section, Division of Waste
Management, on (701) 328-5159 or rdisney@nd.gov
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and
Ohio EPA and the Ohio Department of Education implemented a $2.9 million program to address
hazardous waste removal needs in Ohio schools. The program was the first statewide program of
its kind in the country and removed more than one million pounds of chemicals safely from 196
Ohio schools. Student safety and awareness dramatically increased. 90 percent of Ohio school
districts agreed to participate. Schools saved an average of $10,000 per building -money that
would have been spent on a commercial cleanup service. Nearly 1,000 school officials and
teachers also attended safety seminars regarding responsible management of chemicals and
chemical waste.
For more information on Ohio EPA's cleanups, please visit the Ohio EPA Accomplishments Web
page, located at: http://www.epa.state.oh.us/accomplishments.html
For more information about chemicals in Ohio schools, please contact Dr. Cliff Schrader, Director,
Ohio Hazardous Waste Removal Program, on (800) 968-0132 or at Cliffs@summitk12.oh.us You
may want to read his articles on the subject on the National Science Education Leadership
Association Web page, located at: http://www.nsela.org/publications/safescience/ss-article6.html
and the Catalyst Web page, located at: http://www.thecatalyst.org/hwrp/pages/needs.html
In 2005 and 2006, the Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit, a school service organization,
implemented the Safer Schools Initiative, which focused on conducting chemical inventories,
cleanout, training, and policy development. The Initiative used existing information from the local
health department to identify schools with violations to help determine the extent of the problem in
schools. A representative from a local pollution prevention organization also educated the
Intermediate Unit on the problems in schools.
The Initiative leveraged the expertise and resources of the Northwest Regional Office of the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to assist with reviewing chemical
inventories. This review also helped to mitigate disposal costs by identifying substances that may
not require a hazardous waste disposal contractor. The program successfully removed 267 pounds
of hazardous materials from 16 schools, positively affecting 11,469 students. The program also
included information about responsible chemical management activities such as the
implementation of an in-service training program (teachers educated about chemical safety and
green chemistry) and the establishment of stronger relationships between schools and businesses.
The Intermediate Unit will continue to provide technical assistance and training as needed.
For more information on this initiative, please contact Lacey Maze, Northwest Tri-County
Intermediate Unit, on (814) 734-8460 or Iacey_maze(5)iu5.org
The Chemical Safe Schools Committee (CSSC) is a public-private partnership working to address
chemical management issues in schools. The partnership includes the Rhode Island Departments
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and SC3
of Health, Education, Environmental Management (DEM), and Labor and Training; Brown
University; Community College of Rhode Island; and the Rhode Island Committee on Occupational
Health and Safety. The Committee's goal is to support schools and districts in minimizing health
risks from chemicals through development of guidance materials, training and professional
development opportunities, and the use of regulatory authority.
The CSSC successfully worked to incorporate a list of banned chemicals into the Rhode Island
Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs in 2003. The Rhode Island Department of
Health, on behalf of the Committee, used EPA SC3 funds to assist public and charter high schools
with chemical removal. Only schools that have developed a Chemical Hygiene Plan were eligible
for assistance. The Chemical Hygiene Plan must address chemical purchase, storage, disposal,
personal protective equipment and contain an inventory. Greater consideration is also given to
school systems that have a greater community need (defined as a percentage of students
receiving free or reduced cost lunches).
Currently, the CSSC works to educate school personnel and others on chemical management
issues. The Rhode Island DEM assists schools by providing technical expertise. DEM works with
the Department of Labor, who has the authority to conduct school inspections, to share information
on chemical management concerns at schools.
For more information on the Chemical Safe Schools Committee, please contact Bob Vanderslice,
Rhode Island Chemical Hygiene Officer, Department of Health, Education, and Environmental
Management on (401) 222-3424 or bobv@doh.state.ri.us or Jim Ball at Rhode Island Department
of Environmental Management on (401) 222-1360 or iames.ball@dem.ri.gov
Brown University entered into a settlement agreement with EPA that included a Supplemental
Environmental Project (SEP) that benefited four Providence area high schools. Brown agreed to
pay a total fine of nearly $80,000 and to fund SEPs at a total cost of $285,596. Brown provided
training to area high schools, assisted K-12 schools with managing their chemical inventories,
removed 570 gallons of lab packed wastes, and brought micro-scale chemistry equipment to
schools. A total of $20,429 was spent for chemical removals from these schools.
For more information on the Brown University SEP, please contact Lisa Papetti of EPA Region 1
on (617) 918-1756 or Papetti.Lisa@epa.gov
Beginning in the fall of 2004, selected schools in Tennessee participated in the School Chemical
Cleanout Campaign. The SC3 program was an expansion of a previous pilot program facilitated by
the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Division of Community
Assistance's Green Schools Program. The Green Schools Programs stem from a partnership
among TDEC, the Tennessee Science Teachers Association, the Tennessee Valley Association,
Onyx Environmental, and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
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and SC3
TDEC's SC3 programs seek to reduce waste, eliminate outdated, unknown and unusable
chemicals from schools, encourage environmentally sound use of chemicals in classrooms, bring
cost savings to schools through responsible chemical management, and promote SC3 success
state-wide. TDEC's programmatic components included lab chemical inventories, disposal, and
teacher training. TDEC staff conducted numerous trainings and also partnered with a local
university to develop a green chemistry handbook for teachers.
TDEC has been successful in reaching their goals and has even assisted school districts in other
states with their SC3 programs. In total, 69 schools were cleaned out, with 23,000 pounds of
hazardous chemicals removed. TDEC leveraged various EPA grant-funding sources by requiring
schools to contribute funds based on their socio-economic status.
For more information on TDEC's SC3 programs, please contact Ken Nafe, Tennessee Department
of Environment and Conservation on (615) 532-0281or ken.nafe@state.tn.us Information is also
available on the Tennessee SC3 Web Page, located at:
http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/sc3/
SC3 Results: Highlights from Ft. Worth
Independent School District
Removed 15,000 pounds of hazardous chemicals
from 37 schools
Implemented a district-wide system to maintain
chemical inventories.
Uses Material Safety Data Sheets to assist in
proper handling, use, and storage of chemicals
and to track chemical purchases.
In 2004, the Fort Worth Independent
School District (FWISD) was awarded
funding by EPA to enhance processes
and procedures for the disposal of
chemicals and hazardous waste, and
waste reduction and management efforts.
FWISD met those objectives through four
major strategies:
1. Inventory system;
2. Disposal of chemicals;
3. Prevention program; and
4. Evaluation design.
FWISD conducted cleanouts at 15 high schools and 22 middle schools, resulting in the removal of
15,000 pounds of hazardous chemicals. FWISD also implemented a district-wide chemical
inventory system that tracks Material Safety Data Sheets on all chemicals purchased. This system
will help prevent unnecessary purchases both in terms of quantities and types of chemicals.
The FWISD SC3 program also had a training component. The training was aimed at the science
director in each school, who is responsible for chemical management. The training encourages
responsible chemical management practices such as use of lab kits to minimize risks and waste
and limiting orders of high volumes of chemicals.
FWISD continues to support chemical management in schools. Schools can call the District for
information if they have hazardous chemicals that need to be removed and disposed.
For more information on the Fort Worth Independent School District SC3 program, please contact
George Reid of the Fort Worth Independent School District on (817) 871-2637.
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for
The Utah Department of Education has developed a draft document outlining the Chemical Safety
Program for Utah Science Teachers. The primary goal of the program is to provide tools, training,
and mentor support to Utah science teachers in matters of chemical safety. This program involves
school support personnel, administrators at every level, and a variety of public safety services.
Materials have been developed that will help teachers assess the chemical safety needs of their
schools, find answers to questions, locate resources, develop safe laboratory strategies, teach
safety to their students, document the progress of safety improvement, avoid legal problems
through compliance with the law, and learn from the experience of others. Included is a program of
on-going opportunities for training and teacher-to-teacher mentoring for all Utah science teachers
who wish to participate. The draft document provides numerous resources for teachers, including
lists of chemicals not recommended for classrooms, risk management questions, lab safety and
first aid information, Chemical Hygiene Plans, and applications for state approved chemical
management mentors.
For more information on Chemical Safety Program for Utah Science Teachers, please visit the
Utah State Office of Education Web Page, located at:
http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/safety/ChemSafetyProg.htm
Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) developed an Integrated Toolkit
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) developed an Integrated Toolkit that
assists Utah schools in implementing a school chemical cleanout. The Toolkit includes checklists
for individual teachers; list of chemicals that need to be removed and reasons why; list of
alternative chemicals and where to find them; chemical guidelines and best management practices
for school labs and art classes; emergency procedures for chemical accidents; and preventative
measures. The toolkit is available to on the UDEQ Web site at www.deq.utah.gov/schools
For additional information about the Integrated Toolkit, please contact Sonja Wallace, Utah
Department of Environmental Quality on (801) 536-4477 or at SWALLACE@utah.gov
Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (VT DEC) sponsored a school science
laboratory chemical cleanout project for middle and high schools. A total of 83 middle and high
schools were cleaned out, at an average cost of $1,000 per school. Schools were assisted with
conducting a chemical inventory, chemical disposal, and the establishment of safe chemical
storage systems. Approximately 17,000 pounds of hazardous materials, 3,900 pounds of non-
hazardous materials, and 156 pounds of mercury were removed from the schools.
For more information on the school science laboratory chemical cleanout project, please contact
Thomas Benoit of VT DEC on (802) 241-3472 or Thomas. Benoit@state.vt.us The chemical
removal report is available on the Vermont Mercury Education and Reduction Campaign Web
Page, located at: http://www.mercvt.org/PDF/finalreport.pdf
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and SC3
When Arlington Public Schools (APS) suspected that it might have a problem with chemical
management, it did not wait for an accident before it sprung into action. Instead, APS took
immediate steps to protect over 8,000 secondary students and 800 staff from potential chemical
exposures.
As a result of an Arlington school's discovery of outdated and unlabeled materials in a chemical
storage room that had not been used for many years, in the summer of 2005, APS implemented an
innovative chemical management program in its schools. APS conducted a comprehensive
chemical inventory in all of its secondary schools that revealed several common chemical
management problems, including accumulations of unnecessary, outdated, and unknown
chemicals. With the help of qualified chemical management experts, APS discovered that, in
addition to educationally valuable chemicals, its secondary schools also housed inappropriate
materials, some of which were stored improperlyin alphabetical order, improper containers, and
excessive amounts.
Since the summer of 2005, APS has removed more than 600 pounds of chemicals from its
secondary schools. To ensure that similar chemical mismanagement problems would no longer
pose a risk to students and staff, APS also implemented a sustainable chemical management
program that includes:
Coordination with a certified hazardous waste company;
Identification and safe disposal of hazardous chemicals;
Implementation of a chemical hygiene plan;
Teacher chemical safety training;
Bi-annual chemical inventories;
Dedicated staff time for chemical management;
Responsible chemical storage; and
Plans for comprehensive chemical management, including science, shop, art and facilities
chemicals.
With funding provided by the Arlington County School Board, APS selected one teacher within
each of its secondary schools to be a Chemical Manager responsible for ensuring that these
chemical safety considerations were fully integrated into teaching curriculum and facilities
practices. In addition to the appointed Chemical Manager positions, APS conducts annual in-
service teacher training on responsible chemical management, as well as bi-annual chemical
inspections in each of its secondary schools. Wherever possible, teachers and staff are
encouraged to use the smallest amounts of the least hazardous chemicals possible.
For more information about Arlington's chemical management program, contact Constance
Skelton, Science Supervisor, Arlington Public Schools on (703) 228-6163 or
cskelton@arlington.k12.va.us
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i iiTiiTipfiAC nf ~Qfate* Trihall and I
King County, Washington's Rehab the Lab Program offered assistance, free of charge, to King
County schools to manage their hazardous chemicals. The Program put chemical experts from the
County's hazardous waste office in schools to train teachers about chemical storage and disposal.
The program also helped teachers to think about which chemicals are actually needed and for what
purpose the chemicals are needed. At the outset, there was some reluctance by school officials
and teachers to dispose of the chemicals, stating that no funds were available to order replacement
materials. However, in the end, most of them decided to participate in the program. Over a four-
year period, the program cost $560,000 and was primarily funded by surplus sewer and garbage
collection fees. The program paid 100 percent of laboratory chemical disposal and partial
assistance for removing art supplies and photo chemicals. In total, 39.5 tons of chemicals were
removed.
The Program continues to provide education, assessment and advice aimed at school
laboratories. The state provides matching grants to cover the cost of the initial site audit, collection
and disposal costs, and teacher training. In addition, fully scripted lesson plans, chemical lists, and
various informational brochures are available online. The King County program has not only served
as a model for others in Washington, such as Thurston County, but to schools across the nation
including Iowa, Missouri and Colorado.
For more information on King County Washington's Rehab the Lab program please contact Dave
Waddell on (206) 263-3069 or Dave.Waddell@metrokc.com Additional information is found on the
King County Government's Web site at: http://www.govlink.org/hazwaste/schoolyouth/rehab/
Under a settlement agreement filed with the US EPA's Environmental Appeals Board, DuPont is
committing $1.25 million to be spent for a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) to implement
the Micro-scale and Green Chemistry project at schools in Wood County, West Virginia. This three
year long SEP will foster science laboratory curriculum changes to reduce risks posed by
chemicals in schools. Using micro-scale chemistry, which reduces exposure to chemicals, and
green chemistry, an approach that uses safer chemicals, the project will reduce risks to student's
health and enhance science safety in all of the participating schools.
For more information on DuPont's SEP, please contact Dave Ryan in EPA's Office of Public Affairs
on (202) 564-4355 or ryan.dave@epa.gov Information about the SEP is available from EPA's
Newsroom Web site at:
http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/198a007cc57e64d3852570210055f3f6/fdcb2f665cac66b
b852570d7005d6665!OpenDocument
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and SC3
EPA in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) targeted schools in
the Green Bay/Oshkosh area to participate in the School Chemical Collection Program. The main
focus of the program in Green Bay/Oshkosh was to reduce chemical waste, promote the safe
management of chemicals, and promote environmentally preferable purchasing of laboratory
chemicals. A total of 57 schools participated in the Chemical Collection Program out of an
approximate 233 eligible schools.
The chemical collection took place at a location provided by the Winnebago County Solid Waste
Coordinator. Chemicals were received from the 57 schools on the collection day. Representatives
from the participating schools transported their chemicals to a drive-through maintenance building
where the chemicals were segregated and packaged by a waste management company for
transportation to an EPA approved off-site disposal facility. The School Chemical Collection
Program resulted in the collection/disposal of approximately 1,982 pounds of various chemicals.
For more information on Wisconsin's Chemical Collection effort, please contact Janet Haff of EPA
Region 5 on (312) 353-7923 or at haff.ianet@epa.gov
and
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources developed a Web-based, self-paced and voluntary
program available to all Wisconsin public and private elementary, middle, and high schools. The
program is designed to support and encourage schools in their quest for a healthy, safe, and
environmentally-friendly learning environment. Requirements for the Green and Healthy Schools
Program include becoming virtually mercury free and improving chemical management.
For more information on Wisconsin's Green and Healthy Schools efforts, please contact Jackie
Hanzal, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, on (608) 264-6028 or
jacqueline.hanzal@wisconsin.gov or Elizabeth Kane, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction,
on (608) 266-2803 or elizabeth.kane@dpi.state.wi.us Information about Wisconsin's Green and
Healthy Schools Program can also be found on the program's Web page, located at:
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/greenschools/
The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE), with funding from EPA, has implemented a
program to assess, remove, dispose, and prevent the future accumulation of dangerous chemicals
in school laboratories. The initiative, which builds on existing WDE partnerships with school
Districts, requires schools to cover 49 percent of the cost of chemical removal, while WDE covers
the remaining costs. The cornerstone of WDE's approach advocates giving schools ownership of
chemical management, cleanout, and the institution of responsible chemical management. The
success of the program has served as catalyst for other school Districts. Over 6,000 pounds of
hazardous material has been collected and responsibly disposed from 31 school districts. WDE
has recently received funding from EPA Region 8 to reimburse schools for the proper collection
and disposal of hazardous chemicals.
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and
Wyoming has guidelines governing chemical management and prevention that are currently being
revised and updated. WDE is developing plans to coordinate with statewide emergency responders
to increase awareness on chemical management in schools.
For more information on the Wyoming Department of Education's chemical management initiative,
please contact Bruce Hayes of the Wyoming Department of Education on (307) 777-6198 or
bhayesl @educ.state.wy.us You may also contact Matt Langenfeld, EPA Region 8 at
langenfeld.matthew@epa.gov
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of State, Tribal, and Local SC3 Programs
Ultimately, it is important to address all dangerous chemical hazards in K-12 schools through a
chemical management program. However, it is also important that SC3 programs remain flexible to
meet the unique circumstances of each school district. There are a number of programs that focus
on the removal of mercury from schools and provide education on proper mercury management. A
few examples are provided below. These school programs are aimed at increasing and promoting
mercury recycling, improving mercury management in schools, and educating teachers and
students about mercury.
For more information about Mercury management, please visit EPA's State Mercury Schools
Program Web page, located at: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/mercury/school.htm
Material Separation Plans (MSP) must be submitted to MassDEP for approval every other year by
hazardous waste combustors. Each MSP contains a program element for mercury cleanouts in
schools. These facilities perform outreach to the schools and provide education and funding to
reduce mercury, including the replacement of mercury-containing devices with non-mercury
alternatives.
For more information visit: http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/solid/mspcomp.htm
Free
The Minnesota Mercury Free Zone Program is designed to reduce potential mercury exposure in
middle and high schools and to prevent mercury from polluting the environment by eliminating it
from schools and providing education about the dangers it poses. The Program uses Clancy, a
specially trained mercury-detecting dog, to help schools discover spilled and unknown sources of
mercury.
For more information about the Mercury-Free Zone Program, please call Carol Hubbard, MPCA
mercury educator, at (651) 282-2604 or e-mail her at carol.hubbard@pca.state.mn.us More
information is available also at: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/programs/mercury-free/and
http://www.pca.state.mn.us/publications/p-p2s4-01.pdf
The Northeast Waste Management Official's Association (NEWMOA) is a non-profit interstate
association that has a membership composed of the hazardous waste, solid waste, waste site
cleanup, and pollution prevention program directors for the environmental agencies in New
England, New York and New Jersey. Beginning in January 2001, the MassDEP and the
Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (MA EOEA) funded NEWMOA to assist in
identifying and removing elemental mercury and products containing mercury from schools.
NEWMOA has removed approximately 1,077 pounds of mercury from 165 Massachusetts schools.
This included 5,607 lab thermometers, 1,312 fever thermometers, 171 sphygmomanometers, 111
barometers, and 790 pounds of elemental mercury.
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For more information, please visit NEWMOA's Mercury In Schools and Communities website,
located at: http://www.newmoa.org/prevention/mercury/schools
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