by Jbs102809c3 — November 4, 2009—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized 11 organizations for promoting responsible chemical management and helping remove potentially dangerous chemicals from K-12 schools in their communities. Working with EPA’s Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3), the organizations removed an estimated 70,000 pounds of potentially dangerous chemicals from approximately 300 schools.
The organizations were recognized for a range of activities contributing to a reduction in chemical hazards, including:
- assisting schools in developing accurate chemical inventories;
- removing and properly disposing of outdated, unknown, and unneeded chemicals; and
- establishing sustainable programs to properly manage chemicals by training school administrators and teachers on responsible chemical management and green lesson planning.
EPA estimates that more than 33,000 middle and high schools across the country have potentially harmful chemicals that put students and staff at risk. SC3 works with schools, community organizations, and industry to help prevent chemical exposures through proper chemical management.
