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Community, Tribal, State and Industry Volunteers are Recognized for Improving Chemical Management in K-12 Schools
December 2009
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in celebration of Children’s Health Month, recognized eleven community volunteers for their pro bono work promoting responsible chemical management and removing potentially dangerous chemicals from K-12 schools in their communities through EPA’s School Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3). Their efforts have resulted in the removal of approximately 70,000 pounds of unneeded and potentially dangerous chemicals from approximately 300 schools. Nationwide, 33,000 middle and high schools have potentially harmful chemicals that can put students and staff at risk. The efforts of these volunteers is helping these schools achieve safer and healthier learning environments for our nation’s students.
In Grandview, MO, one school district teamed up with four organizations to ensure the safety of its students. The total enrollment at Grandview High School and Middle School exceeds 1700 students. A chemical spill at either of these schools could have resulted in potential student safety risks, loss of school days, and substantial clean-up costs. As part of President Obama’s United We Serve initiative, the Missouri Center for Safe Schools partnered with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to assist Grandview High School and Middle School with a chemical inventory. Professional Chemical Analysts went through the entire school to identify chemicals that are unneeded, outdated, stored in excessive quantities, and too dangerous for use in a school setting. After identifying all the potentially dangerous chemicals, Ash Grove Cement Company provided a donation to cover the removal cost of these chemicals. Cadence Environmental Energy, a waste management company, worked closely with Ash Grove to provide support services, such as lab analyses, to determine the contents of unlabeled chemical bottles.
Removing these chemicals was no easy task. Some of the chemicals were combustible, reactive, toxic and corrosive. For example, a very dangerous chemical identified during the inventory, ethyl ether, required special handling by hazardous materials expert to prevent explosion. Tradebe Pollution Control Industries provided expertise and equipment to pack and transport the chemicals to be safely disposed.
“This campaign reflects the very best of what we have to offer. It brings together local volunteers, educators, partners in the business community, and many others in service to our communities, and helps us in our most important work: protecting the health and safety of our children,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “We’re grateful for all the dedicated citizens stepping up to confront our most urgent environmental and children's health challenges. They're ensuring that our schools are safe places for children to learn, play and grow.”
SC3 aims to prevent chemical exposures in K-12 schools by connecting them with knowledgeable community and industry volunteers to remove dangerous chemicals, institute sustainable chemical management practices, and raise awareness of the issue.
