# Presentation: 702287

## Improving Chemical Management in Maine Schools

- Ann Pistell
- Maine Department of Environmental Protection
- (207) 287-7703
- 1-800-452-1942

## A School’s View of Environmental Issues

- Financing

- Nutrition
- programs

- Teachers

- Curricula

- Salaries

- Books

- Title VI
- Students w/
-  disabilities

- Attendance

- Class Size

- Budgeting

- Athletics

- Title 1
- Economically
- disadvantaged
- students

- Test
- Scores

- School Facilities

- More seats

- New construction

- School siting

- Repairs & renovation
- O&M

- Environment

- Health & Safety

- HIV

- Asthma

- Pregnancy

- Drugs

- Violence

- Injuries

- Transportation

- Credit:  EPA Region I

## Where Are Hazardous Chemicals In Schools?

- Vocational Shops
- Science Laboratories
- Art Classrooms
- Nurse’s Office
- Administrative offices

## Mercury Program History

- Costly. $6000 to $25,000
-    +  lawsuit.
- In D.C., Ballou spill
- 	>$1million
-    We decided to go get
- 	the mercury.

- Sixteen mercury spills in Me. Schools (2001-04)

## After visiting a few schools, the program was broadened. Why?

- We found a whole host of problems
-  including:

## Improper Storage

-  Chemicals stored alphabetically.
- Could React!

- _Improper Storage_

## Gas in unlocked cabinet

- with unlocked drawer full of matches next to it.

## Historic stockpiles

- Toxic pesticides and oils in a drawer that hadn’t been opened for 30+ years!

## Poor chemical condition

_**Poor chemical condition**_

## High Risk Chemicals

- Carbon tet.
- Toxic, carcinogenic, bioaccumulative.

- Sam’s Club effect resulting from spend it or it or lose it monies and limited budgets.

_**Overstock**_

## Donations 

_**Donations **_

## Human Nature

- The teacher insisted he was really using this!

_**Human Nature**_

## Lack of knowledge

Many school labs follow Flinn disposal methods 
Most methods illegal!!!
Could result in BIG FINES

- Many school labs follow Flinn disposal methods
- Most methods illegal!!!
- Could result in _**BIG FINES**_

## Nobody we visited was in compliance.

## Hidden Costs

- Fines if violations are found.
- Increased insurance premiums.
- Spill clean-up costs and materials.
- Time for paperwork, arranging disposal, attending training and conducting or attending inspections.

## More Hidden Costs

- Expensive storage cabinets etc.
- Required PPE and safety training
- Administrative paperwork.
- Disposal costs
- Liability if someone is hurt.

## Business Managers = Important Partners

- Budget for
- clean-out funds ($1500 to $6000 ave.)
- annual disposal funds (_<_$1000)
- stipend for Chemical Hygiene Officer!
- teacher training
- safety equipment!

## Help Establish Purchasing Policy

- Central purchasing!
- Buy pre-diluted solutions if possible
- Invest in Microscale chemistry
- Evaluate risk, storage requirements, disposal requirements, existing stocks 	BEFORE PURCHASING!

## Business Managers = Important Partners

- If you
-  clean out,
-  use microscale or green chemistry,
-  have a Chemical Hygiene Plan and current inventory
- 	RENEGOTIATE INSURANCE!

## TOOLS TO HELP

- DEP Inventory Form
- Model Chemical Hygiene Plan
- Model Purchase Request Form
- On Site Assistance
- School Environmental Guide
- http://www.maine.gov/dep/mercury/school.htm

## Note to students from teacher!

- THE END