This document discusses building successful chemical cleanout programs in K-12 schools. It notes that there are over 120,000 K-12 schools in the US with around 28 million students and staff that are at risk from chemical hazards on school grounds. The EPA has partnered with other federal agencies to create the School Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3) aimed at removing inappropriate, outdated, and unnecessary chemicals from schools. The goals are to protect students by removing chemicals, preventing future issues through training and practices, and raising awareness. The campaign works with industry and government partners to provide cleanouts and make prevention resources available nationwide. Partners benefit from demonstrating leadership and receiving EPA recognition while schools benefit from improved safety, health and environmental protection.

1. Building Successful School
Chemical Cleanout Programs
Tackling Chemical Hazards Through
Partnerships
ACS National Meeting
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
August 17, 2008

2. K -12 Schools Are Different
• 120,000 K-12 schools
~28 million middle and Financing
high school students Class Size
Teachers
Budgeting
Title VI
6 million staff Attendance Students w/
Nutrition disabilities
Salaries
Test
• Susceptible population programs
Scores
Curricula Athletics
Title 1
Economically
• Aging infrastructure Books Education disadvantaged
Emergency Preparedness/ students
• Many environmental Homeland Security
Health & Safety
Environment
School Facilities
health issues More seats
School siting
Drugs Violence
PregnancyAsthma
• Many competing priorities New construction
Repairs & renovation Injuries HIV
• Few resources O&M
2

3. The Problem
• We estimate a minimum of 33,000 middle and
high schools across the country can benefit
from a chemical management program,
positively affecting 21 million middle and high
school students nationwide.
• Chemical emergencies in schools occur across
the nation. Children and staff are at risk.
• Cleaning up chemical spills is more costly than
removing chemicals from schools and
implementing preventive measures.
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4. Imminent Risk
Unknown, Unintended Chemical Reactions Nitric Acid + Cyanide
Potential
Incidents
Imminent Risk
if water level drops ½
inch spontaneously 4
ignites

5. SC3 Goals
SC3 aims to protect children by:
• Removing inappropriate, outdated, unknown and
unnecessary chemicals from K-12 schools;
• Preventing future chemical mismanagement issues in
schools through training, curriculum change, cleaning
practices and long-term management solutions; and
• Raising national awareness of chemical issues in schools
and promoting sustainable solutions.
5

6. The National SC3 Program
• In January, 2006, EPA joined forces with
several federal organizations.
– Department of Education
– Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
– Consumer Product Safety Commission
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
– Bureau of Indian Affairs
– National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
• Approach: Build a national network of industry
and government partners that will make
cleanout and prevention available to every
school in the country
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7. SC3 National Partners
• American Chemical Society
• American Chemistry Council
• Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers’ Association
• Cement Kiln Recycling Coalition
• National Hazardous Materials Management Association
• Western Michigan University
• Continental Cement
• Giant Cement
• MKC Enterprises
• EMC Insurance Companies
• Pollution Control Industries
7

8. Why Become an SC3 Partner
Benefits to School and Benefits to Partner
Community
• Demonstrate community
• Protect the health and safety of leadership;
children and school personnel;
• Fulfill a corporate commitment
• Improve your local schools; to responsible community
outreach;
• Protect the environment;
• Receive credits for EPA’s
Performance Track program
• Prevent fires and spills; and, renewal;
• Avoid lost school days • Join a federal campaign that
has the backing of the EPA and
other agencies; and,
• Receive recognition on high-
traffic Web sites, in the media,
and at recognition events.
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9. Partnership Models
– Western Massachusetts University
hosted responsible chemical
management training for K-12 schools
in their district.
– Roche Colorado Corporation
developed the “Indian Country
Laboratory Hazard Consultation
Program”.
– Dow Chemical is working schools in
Saginaw County, MI
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10. How Can You Make a
Difference?
Remove potentially dangerous
chemicals
– Provide technical assistance to
schools through inventorying, on-site
management practices, and
responsible disposal.
– Join forces with other partners to
address all aspects of removing
unnecessary chemicals.
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11. How Can You Make a
Difference?
Prevention
– Provide on-site technical assistance to
schools on responsible life-cycle
chemical management.
– Offer training and workshops to
teachers and facilities personnel on
hazard identification, responsible
management.
– Build sustainable coalitions to
continue a focus of responsible
chemical management.
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12. How Can You Make a
Difference?
Raise Awareness:
– Educate colleagues on issue and
encourage participation.
– Presentations/booths at conferences.
– Newsletters/Journal Articles.
– Public Service Announcements.
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13. WHAT WE CAN OFFER
• Individual Press
Event
• Recognition Web
Site
• Recognition
Events
• Partner Network
• Trade Journal
Articles
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14. For More Information
www.epa.gov/SC3
• Details on chemical
management
programs
• Outreach materials
• Information for
school and
community partners
• Links to helpful tools
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15. Remember
Every school is unique!
To good starting point is to contact
your EPA Representative or build on
existing relationships with your local
school.
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16. For more information or to Join the Campaign
Kristina Meson Eileen Naples Cyndy Merse Rhonda Minnick
Meson.kristina@epa.g Naples.eileen@epa.go Merse.cynthia@epa.go Minnick.rhonda@epa.g
ov v v ov
703-308-8488 703-308-0216 703-308-0020 703-308-8771
National Partners National Partners
EPA Region 2 EPA Region 1 EPA Region 4 EPA Region 3
Laura Livingston Joan Jouzaitis Dee Rodgers-Smith Sharon Perez-Suarez
(732) 906-6998 (617) 918-1846 (404) 562-8688 (215) 814-3417
NJ, NY, PR, USVI, CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV,
7 Tribal Nations VT, Tribal Nations NC, SC, 6 Tribal
Nations DC
EPA Region 6 EPA Region 10 EPA Region 5
Kristina Meson Margo Young Maryann Suero
(703) 308-8488 (206) 553-1287 (312) 866-9077
AR, LA, NM, OK, TX, AK, ID, OR, WA, IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI,
65 Tribal Nations Pacific Northwest 35 Tribal Nations
Indian Country
EPA Region 7 EPA Region 8 EPA Region 9
Edwin Buckner Matthew Langenfeld Wendi Shafir
(913) 551-7621 (303)312-6284 (415) 972-3422
IA, KS, MO, NE, 9 CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, AZ, CA, HI, NV,
Tribal Nations WY, 27 Sovereign Trial Pacific Islands, > 140 16
Nations Tribal Nations