RCC Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3): Goodbye, Methol Something!

RCC Schools Chemical RCC Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3): Cleanout Campaign (SC3):

Goodbye, Methol Something!Goodbye, Methol Something!

RCC Schools Chemical RCC Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3): Cleanout Campaign (SC3):

Goodbye, Methol Something!Goodbye, Methol Something!NAHMMA Annual ConferenceNAHMMA Annual Conference

September 23, 2005September 23, 2005

How EPA Programs View Relationships with Schools

Schools

PCBs

Chemical CleanoutCampaign

SchoolsSchool Districts

School Orgs.

Integrated Pest Management/Pesticides

Indoor Air QualityTools for Schools

Mercury

Asbestos

How Schools Often Think They Appear to EPA

Schools

Buy Clean

Indoor airquality

PCBs

Pesticides

Chemicals(e.g., mercury)

Energy Star

Lead Wastewise

Integrated Pest Management

The NEXT Big Issue

Sunwise

CCA

Mold

Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool

Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool

• Self-audit software tool• Completely voluntary• Fully customizable• Intended for school

district and state use

• Based on:– LAUSD facility assessment

tool – EPA guidance and

regulations– Existing State and district

checklists

• No reporting requirements

Is this your Image of School Chemical Storage?

Yikes! This is the reality!

No Security:Easy Access to All

Note chemicals stored on chair.

Nitric acid, oxidizer and corrosive.Fumes ate through plastic capthen oxidized cardboard box.Extreme fire riskSix pounds of cyanide right above it

Earthquake could mean gas chamber for 500 students

Hydrofluoric Acid• Anesthetic: acid doesn’t burn on contact• Deep tissue and bone disintegration• Extreme pain, can cause gangrene,

amputation• Highly corrosive, dissolves glass• Used in Art & Chem classes for glass etching

Highly explosive peroxide crystals.Crystals on acid bottle, no big deal. Crystals on solvent lid, assume explosive

White phosphorus, pyrophoricif water level drops ½ inchspontaneously ignites

UnlabeledCorrodedChlorine Gas

Hand-written word “Nitro”In middle school

Tested and found nitroglycerine

Bottles as structural supportfor shelf above them

Need disposal but can’t move them

Goals of SC3• Remove outdated, unknown,

excessive, or unnecessarily hazardous chemicals from secondary schools;

• Prevent future stockpiles and reduce accidents by establishing prevention activities such as good purchasing and management practices;

• Raise national awareness of the problem.

Why is Such a Program Needed?

• Chemical emergencies in schools are continually occurring across the nation. Children and staff are at risk.

• Cleaning up chemical spills more costly than removing the chemicals from schools and implementing preventive measures.

Scope of Problem

• Poison Control Center data indicates 35,934 chemical exposures occurring at schools in 2003.

– Incidents involved both laboratory chemicals and facility maintenance chemicals, including pesticides and cleaning agents.

• ATSDR Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance reports that evacuations and injuries occur more often in schools than other facilities or settings.

Costs and Benefits of Such a Program

• Cleaning up after an incident is costly:

– Cleanup can cost over a million dollars, cause closure of schools, and relocation of students.

• Cleanout and prevention programs are good investments:

– Cleanout costs average $5,000 per school, but can be $30,000 or more if radioactive or explosive chemicals are involved.

– Prevention programs can eliminate potential incidents.

Case Study

Proactive• In “Rehab the Lab” program,

81 sites had either bulk mercury liquid, mercury thermometers, or more both.

• Total cost for packaging, transport and disposal of the mercury for all 81 sites was $24,300.

Reactive• Small amount of mercury

spilled on a carpet.

• Costs – bad publicity, – virtual paralysis of the

facilities maintenance program for a couple weeks

– Potential exposure– One site cost over $30,000

for disposal

This case study illustrates how the clean up of one very minor mercury spill cost more than a planned cleanout of

mercury at 81 sites.

FY 2004/2005 Cleanout and Prevention Successes

• Many states have their own programs and we have worked through states and local governments.

• 10 regional pilot efforts were funded by EPA in 2004/2005

• Measurable results are being reported on chemicals removed, prevention practices being implemented, and lessons learned.

– Over 75,000 pounds of chemicals were safely removed and properly disposed affecting 400,000 students.

– Teachers were trained in safe chemical management and best management practices have been put in place.

Regional Initiatives• All funded programs involved a

consortium of partners:– State and Local Department of

Environments– School Districts - Administration– Chemical and Waste Management

firms• Chemicals identified for removal ranged

from laboratory to cleaning chemicals.• Trained personnel essential for

identification and handling of chemicals, and education of school personnel.

What’s Happening in the Field

• Technical experts make site visits to schools to assess problems.

• Work closely with school personnel on solutions.

• Trained personnel remove identified chemicals.

• Prevention practices implemented (training, purchasing policies, green chemistry, etc.)

• Follow up.

State Programs have been funded in a number

of ways.

• Funding for proper disposal is left to the school or school district.

• Supplemental Environmental Projects (for environmental violations)

• State solid waste tipping fees• State regulatory agencies or state executive branch

State tax on solid waste disposal • Grants• In kind services (primarily for prevention practices such

as training)• Partnership including a consortium of agencies

interested in the issue• Partnership with industry

FY 2006 Continuing Cross-Media Efforts

• Additional school cleanout and prevention programs.

• Results of an OSWER/OPPT project exploring a blended Chemical Management Services and Resource Management “servicizing” approach expected in November.

• Developing outreach materials to encourage participation in schools chemical cleanout and prevention programs.

PartnershipsState and Local Government Officials

– Departments of Environment– Departments of Health– Departments of Education

Schools Associations– National Science Education Leadership Association– National Science Teachers Association– Council of State Science Supervisors– Association of School Business Officials

Industry– General Motors– Chemical Associations– Pharmaceutical Companies– Insurance Companies

Where Do We Go from Here?

• National Problem requiring local solutions.

• Integration of these activities with other ongoing Agency activities.

• Continuing spreading the word and sharing experiences.

School Chemicals: In the News

• “Maine - schools have uncovered stockpiles of potentially dangerous chemicals, including agents used in Chemical Warfare that could cost millions to clean up.” 10/18/04

• “Montana – Science teachers across Montana are being surveyed about the chemicals in their classrooms … stockpiles, some perhaps decades old.” 8/31/04

• NPR: Safety concerns of school chemistry labs. 1/22/04• EPA - Region 4 responds to Mercury release in school.

4/19/04• Des Moines, Iowa – “Experts hauled out and blew up

several containers of unidentified chemicals found in school storage area.” 2/27/04

• Tokyo – “School officials failed to dispose of more than 1,000 bottles of radioactive waste.” 8/24/04

• Hawaii - “Hazmat crews and police converge on Kalani High School, after students got into a container of sodium cyanide.” 12/12/04

For More InformationSchools Chemical Cleanout

Campaignwww.epa.gov/sc3Kristina Meson (703) 308-8488

Meson.kristina@epa.gov

www.epa.gov/schoolsOne-stop shopping for:

• Healthy School Environments Assessment Tool• Links to all EPA programs, and many federal, state,

and local web resources

For more information

EPA CONTACTS: Bob Axelrad, 202-343-9315Bill Jones, 213-244-1817