Presentations May 23 – 25, 2005 Portland, Maine

For related information visit: http://www.newmoa.org/prevention/mercury/conferences

Hazardous Chemicals in Schools

Achieving Mercury Reductions in Products and Waste

23 May 2005Kristina L. Meson, USEPA

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

The Big Picture

• Schools are overburdened, underfunded and understaffed.

• Environmental health issues usually take a back seat.

• Stockpiles of chemicals, including mercury, are but one of many environmental and safety issues.

• Often schools do not have any staff that focus exclusively on environmental or environmental health issues.

Scope of Problem

• 53 million children and 6 million staff in 118,000 in K-12 schools in US.

• Chemicals include:– Explosives– Corrosives – Flammables– Toxics – Poisons – Radioactive materials

• Found throughout the school in science labs, art studios, and maintenance storage facilities.

Why Do We Care About Mercury?

• Play Video

Why Do We Care About Mercury in Schools?• Mercury and children do NOT mix!• Neurotoxic, heavy metal that is linked to

numerous health effects.• Found in products in schools and is often

used to demonstrate chemical principles.• Most likely route of exposure in schools

is inhalation after a spill or while “playing” with elemental mercury.

• Costly Cleanups and school closures.

EPA Data: The Tip of the Iceberg

– In 2004, EPA responded to 12 emergency removals involving mercury.

– Data represents a small percentage of incidents since most are handled at the local level and are never reported to national databases.

Case Study 1:Kiln, Mississippi

• September 2003: Mississippi DEQ requested an emergency response removal at two schools.

• Mercury Concentrations above EPA levels.

• Three school buses were contaminated – seats and flooring removed.

• Children’s clothing tested and some disposed.

• Total cleanup costs were $200,000.

Case Study 2: Washington, D.C.• On October 2, 2003 a student obtained 250

milliliters of liquid elemental mercury from a science laboratory.

• Contamination spread via several modes of transportation on student shoes and clothing.

• Breathing zone mercury vapor concentrations were greater than EPA standards.

• The school was closed for cleanup and reopened after about a month.

• Eleven homes and one common area were found to be contaminated and about 16 families were displaced for a month.

• Total cleanup costs were about $1,500,000.

Mercury Legislation

• 40 states have a partial ban

• At least 10 states specify a ban on mercury in schools

• At least 9 states have school mercury cleanout programs

State Hg Reduction Programs

• New York Dept. of Health– New outreach materials aimed at

different school audiences

• Minnesota – Mercury Free Zone– Clancy the Hg-sniffing dog

• Wisconsin – Schools Mercury Reduction Program

• Indiana – Mercury Awareness Program

What Can You do to Reduce the Amount of Mercury in Schools?

• Help educate students, other teachers and administrators about mercury.

• Promote proper management and recycling of mercury and mercury-containing products.

• Eliminate the use of mercury wherever possible at schools.

• Prevent mercury spills and know what to do if a spill occurs.

• Promote the use of alternative products that do not contain mercury.

Helpful Resources

• Mercury in your Community and the Environment (WI DNR)– http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/bnsdocs/merccom

m/merccomm.pdf• Safe Mercury Management

– http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/mercury/school.htm

• Mercury Collection/Recycling/Exchange Programs – http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/mer

cury/collction.htm• Cleaning up Mercury Spills

– http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/mercury/spills.htm

Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3)

• Resource Conservation Challenge project initiated by EPA.

• Began in April 2004.

• Supports projects across the nation.– 10 regional pilots funded in 2004.

Is this your Image of School Chemical Storage?

This is the reality!

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

Goals of the 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.

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.

Creating your own School Cleanout• Elements of successful programs include:

– On-site technical assistance and school audit;

– Teacher and administrator education and awareness-building;

– Funding for hazardous chemical disposal;

– Additional commitments from school to maintain proper chemical management .

Chemical Management Services Pilot

– Public/private partnership with GM/Lansing Public School District (RCC funded).

– Team consists of OSW, OPPTS, Region 5, Lansing, MI DEQ.

– Chemical Management Services (CMS) and Resource Management (RM) as a combined strategy to improve chemical and waste management in K-12 schools.

RCC Schools Cluster

• Exploring mutual environmental stewardship approaches for improving school chemical management.

• Partnerships are essential to success.– Council of State Science Supervisors– General Motors– Association of School Business Officials– National Science Education Leadership Assn– National Science Teachers Assn– Chemical Strategies Partnership (non-profit org)– State and Local governments

State Activities

• Illinois– School Chemical Collections are

mandated.– $800,000 grant just issued

• Michigan– $200,000 from bottle taxes designated

• Maine– Two proposals – bond; and pesticide

containers

Where do we go from here?

• Interim and final report on 10 SC3 pilot

• Lessons Learned from other SC3-type programs

• Outreach and Awareness materials

Helpful Resources

• Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign– www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/conserve/clusters/

schools/index.htm

• Healthy School Environments– http://cfpub.epa.gov/schools/index.cfm

• Children’s Health Protection– www.epa.gov/children/

• Children’s Health Month– www.childrenshealth.gov

October is Children’s Health Month (2004 dates)

• October 1: Prevent Mercury Exposure at School

• October 2: Clean Mercury Spills Safely

• October 3: Replace Mercury Fever Thermometers

• October 4: Protect Children from Contaminated Fish

• October 5: Reduce Mercury Products in the Home and at School

• October 11: Protect Children from Chemicals in School

PresentationsMay 23 – 25, 2005Portland, Maine

Chemical (including Chemical (including Mercury) Management in Mercury) Management in

Maine SchoolsMaine Schools

Ann PistellAnn PistellMaine Department of Environmental ProtectionMaine Department of Environmental Protection

(207) 287-7703(207) 287-77031-800-452-19421-800-452-1942

Education

Financing

Nutrition programs

Teachers

Curricula

Salaries

Books

Title VIStudents w/ disabilities

Attendance

Class Size Budgeting

Athletics

Title 1Economically

disadvantaged students

TestScore

s

School FacilitiesMore seats

New construction

School siting

Repairs & renovation

O&M

Envir

onm

ent Health & Safety

HIV

AsthmaPregnancy

Drugs Violence

Injuries

Transportation

A School’s View of Environmental IssuesA School’s View of Environmental Issues

Credit: EPA Region I

•Maintenance AreasMaintenance Areas

•Vocational ShopsVocational Shops

•Science LaboratoriesScience Laboratories

•Art ClassroomsArt Classrooms

•Nurse’s OfficeNurse’s Office

•Administrative officesAdministrative offices

Where Are Hazardous Chemicals Where Are Hazardous Chemicals In Schools?In Schools?

Program HistoryProgram History• DEP responded to sixteen mercury spills in schools DEP responded to sixteen mercury spills in schools

over last three years.over last three years.

• Spills are costly so it was Spills are costly so it was decided it was better to go get decided it was better to go get

the mercury than to continuethe mercury than to continue responding to spills. responding to spills.

• After visiting a few schools, After visiting a few schools, program was broadened.program was broadened.

Why did we broaden the Why did we broaden the program?program?

WeWe found a whole host of problemsfound a whole host of problems

including:including:

This is a middle school. Chemicals stored alphabetically. This is a middle school. Chemicals stored alphabetically. Curriculum only called for about a dozen of these chemicals. Note Curriculum only called for about a dozen of these chemicals. Note acids on far right.acids on far right.

Improper Improper StorageStorage

Acids stored in an Acids stored in an unlocked metal unlocked metal cabinet designed cabinet designed for flammables. for flammables.

Clips holding Clips holding shelves were shelves were badly corroded.badly corroded.

This is This is afterafter we we took most acids took most acids out.out.

Hmmmm.. Methanol. Could tell by smell.Hmmmm.. Methanol. Could tell by smell.

Middle school Middle school science room.science room.

Gas in unlocked Gas in unlocked cabinet with unlocked cabinet with unlocked drawer full of matches drawer full of matches

next to it.next to it.

Gas lecture bottles in unlocked drawer of middle Gas lecture bottles in unlocked drawer of middle school. All highly flammable and/or explosive school. All highly flammable and/or explosive when exposed to heat, flame or oxidizers. Close to when exposed to heat, flame or oxidizers. Close to drawer with matches in previous slide. drawer with matches in previous slide.

Lack of knowledgeLack of knowledge

concerning the concerning the rules (At least they rules (At least they were not pouring it were not pouring it down the sink!). down the sink!). Most schools Most schools follow Flinn follow Flinn disposal methods – disposal methods – Illegal!!!Illegal!!!

Historic stockpilesHistoric stockpilesToxic Toxic

pesticides pesticides and oils in and oils in a drawer a drawer

that that hadn’t hadn’t been been

opened opened for 30+ for 30+ years!years!

Carbon tet. Toxic, carcinogen, Carbon tet. Toxic, carcinogen, bioaccumulative.bioaccumulative.

Condition of Condition of containers is very containers is very poor. All are poor. All are corrosives. Bottom corrosives. Bottom one is probably one is probably sulfuric acid.sulfuric acid.

Sodium, a Sodium, a flammable, flammable, corrosive solid. corrosive solid. Should be stored Should be stored under mineral oil.under mineral oil.

Water reactive, Water reactive, and forms and forms dangerous dangerous hydrogen gas and a hydrogen gas and a solution of solution of corrosive sodium corrosive sodium hydroxide.hydroxide.

Calcium Nitrate - strong oxidizer, may Calcium Nitrate - strong oxidizer, may explode if shocked or heated. Poor explode if shocked or heated. Poor

shelf life.shelf life.

Impure sulfuric acid. Listed for corrosivity and Impure sulfuric acid. Listed for corrosivity and reactivity. Aged – can tell by color.reactivity. Aged – can tell by color.

Sam’s Club effect Sam’s Club effect resulting from spend resulting from spend

it or it or lose it it or it or lose it monies and limited monies and limited budgets.budgets. A little too A little too

much mercuric much mercuric oxide!oxide!

OverstockOverstock

Structural Structural limitations oflimitations of

buildings.buildings.

Dysfunctional Dysfunctional

or inadequate or inadequate equipment equipment

Bromine (9/15/79) and Bromine (9/15/79) and unknown. Bromine is a PIH - unknown. Bromine is a PIH - Poison Inhalation Hazard, and Poison Inhalation Hazard, and needs special handling. needs special handling. Expensive to get rid of!Expensive to get rid of!

DonationsDonations

These were ‘gifts’ from a These were ‘gifts’ from a college that was closing to college that was closing to several local high schools.several local high schools.

The teacher The teacher insisted he was insisted he was really using this! really using this! Note the bottles Note the bottles around it.around it.

Should be stored Should be stored in dedicated base in dedicated base cabinet but wasn’t. cabinet but wasn’t. Serious eye and Serious eye and respiratory irritant.respiratory irritant.

Human NatureHuman Nature

Nobody we Nobody we visited was in visited was in compliance.compliance.

So DEP started a Mercury and So DEP started a Mercury and Chemical Clean-out ProgramChemical Clean-out Program

Current Chemical Management Current Chemical Management Requirements in MaineRequirements in Maine

•May not purchase mercury or mercury instruments.May not purchase mercury or mercury instruments.

•Must have a current inventory of all hazardous Must have a current inventory of all hazardous chemicals.chemicals.

•Must have a Chemical Hygiene Plan, chemical Must have a Chemical Hygiene Plan, chemical

hygiene officer and a chygiene officer and a chemical purchasing policyhemical purchasing policy..

•May not have a more than a two year supply of any May not have a more than a two year supply of any hazardous chemical. hazardous chemical.

• Must follow state and federal disposal rules for Must follow state and federal disposal rules for hazardous waste.hazardous waste.

School mustSchool must

• sign a Participation Agreementsign a Participation Agreement

• designate a primary contactdesignate a primary contact

• primary contact must come to trainingprimary contact must come to training

• inventory chemicals and develop CHPinventory chemicals and develop CHP

• spend $500 at a minimum if they have spend $500 at a minimum if they have significant amount of hazardous waste.significant amount of hazardous waste.

DEP’s role in programDEP’s role in program

•Hire hazardous waste contractor Hire hazardous waste contractor

•Develop and provide chemical inventory Develop and provide chemical inventory form (now available on DEP web site)form (now available on DEP web site)

•Provide free training workshopsProvide free training workshops

•On site technical assistance if requestedOn site technical assistance if requested

•Coordinate quotes and pick-upsCoordinate quotes and pick-ups

•Pay for contractor transportation and for Pay for contractor transportation and for mercury disposal. Typical cost = $7-800.mercury disposal. Typical cost = $7-800.

Mercury. So far we have collected over 700 lbs. of Hg, Mercury. So far we have collected over 700 lbs. of Hg, 6500 lbs. and over 1000 gallons of hazardous waste 6500 lbs. and over 1000 gallons of hazardous waste from about 80 schools.from about 80 schools.

The Program’s Challenges and FutureThe Program’s Challenges and Future

•Chemical management regulated by three Chemical management regulated by three state agencies: DOE, DOL and DEP. state agencies: DOE, DOL and DEP.

•Inconsistent enforcement of rules.Inconsistent enforcement of rules.

•No formalized program or mandate at DEP.No formalized program or mandate at DEP.

•Lack of funding.Lack of funding.

Note to students from teacher!Note to students from teacher!

THE ENDTHE END

PresentationsMay 23 – 25, 2005Portland, Maine

Mercury Reduction in Schools

Chris Butler, Carol Hubbard, ClancyMinnesota Pollution Control Agency

Why Eliminate Hg from Schools?

Health and environmental

risk

LiabilityNegative

public relations

Mercury Exposure Pathways

Inhalation hazard Volatile at room

temperature Enters through the lungs

into blood stream

Skin contact

Ingestion Elemental mercury ingestion Hg methylates and collects

in fish

Mercury Affects Tissue

Normal

Mercury exposure

Minnesota Department of Health

Chronic US EPA = 300 ng/m3

Lifetime exposure - No adverse effect

Acute California REL =

1,800 ng/m3

Exposure of 1 hour/day during gestation

Mercury health-based exposure values:

Are Schools Safe?

Chronic

Acute

St. Olaf College

Babbitt HS

Highland Park HS

Cleveland JHS

0500

2,000

5,000

ng/m

3

69,000 ng/m3

Clancy – Star of the Show

ClancyMakes News

Clancy at Work

Sniffing out Mercury

Mercury from One School

Elemental mercury

Thermometers

Bar

omet

ers

Mercury compounds

Sling psychrometer

Mercury Sources, Labs

Mercury-containing Medical Equipment

Other Sources

Mercury in Drains

Mercury-free Alternatives

Thermometers – Ever-Safe (Fisher)– Manufactured by MERCK

– Isoamyl benzoate, C12H16O2

– Accuracy ± 1 scale division– Column doesn’t separate

Digital and Eco Celli

BarometerBlood pressure cuff with dial

450 schools pledged mercury free

150 mercury assessments

1000 lb of Hg kept out of environment

Average – 2 pounds per school

Contact Information

Chris Butler, MPCA

218-723-2358 / 800-657-3864

chris.butler@pca.state.mn.us

Carol Hubbard, MPCA651-282-2604carol.hubbard@pca.state.mn.us

http://www.pca.state.mn.us/programs/mercury-freehttp://www.mercuryinschools.uwex.edu/