SC3: Building a Multidisciplinary Team. National RCC Training Workshop March 26, 2009

Transcription

1 SC3: Building a Multidisciplinary Team National RCC Training Workshop March 26, 2009

2 Question: What is Responsible Chemical Management? Answer: Responsible chemical management involves taking steps to ensure chemicals in schools do not endanger students and school personnel. This may include: Evaluating chemicals for need, quantity, and appropriateness; Properly labeling, storing, and securing chemicals; and Safely disposing of waste and/or excess chemicals. 2

3 Key Components for a Successful Chemical Management Program 3

4 The Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3) Mission: To reduce chemical exposures and improve chemical management in K-12 schools. Goals: Remove outdated, unknown, and unneeded chemicals from K-12 schools Raise awareness of chemical issues in schools and promote sustainable solutions Prevent future mismanagement through training, curriculum change, and long-term management solutions 4

5 The Importance of Partners SC3 collaborates with partners from government, academia, and industry to build a network capable of reaching schools with chemical management solutions across the US. Partners can support school SC3 projects in a number of ways: Provide technical assistance (e.g., chemical inventories, recommendations for purchasing/storage/handling/disposal) Provide training on chemical management and safety to teachers and school personnel Assist schools in developing their own chemical management plan Organizations/businesses who formally partner with the federal program receive recognition for their commitment to responsible chemical management. 5

6 It s All About Teamwork! The SC3 program builds upon the efforts of state, local, and tribal governments/agencies who have taken the lead in addressing responsible chemical management in schools. These, and other successful programs, start by pulling together a team with a variety of perspectives, expertise, and resources than can contribute to developing a sustainable chemical management program. Teams may include, in addition to state agencies, the following: School administrators, teachers, and facilities/maintenance personnel Waste handlers and/or chemical suppliers Colleges and universities Local fire, police, and emergency response personnel Environment, health, and education agencies 6

7 School Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3) School Science Lab Waste Reduction and Disposal Project Tennessee Department Of Environment and Conservation Ken Nafe

8 An Historical Perspective March 2002: Hawkins County, TN One of the most expensive school lab chemical accidents in TN history, the lab clean out and resulting fire and cleanup cost ~$190,000. Spring 2005: Hamilton County, TN Unknown employees accidentally dispose of lab chemicals in regular trash. The lab clean out and resulting fire and cleanup cost was ~$80,000. March 2005: Cheatham County, TN A substitute teacher tried to clean up a sodium hydroxide spill with old jeans. School was evacuated and teacher treated for burns. 8

9 Today s Reality Schools face rising waste management costs Schools have regulatory responsibilities Schools have a legal liability Lab chemicals in the wrong hands could be used for terrorism and manufacture of drugs Accidental chemical reaction will be responded to as a terrorist act 9

10 TN SC3 Project Overview Inventory lab chemicals Dispose of waste lab chemicals Disposal cost is based on volume and location coordinating with county HHW collections to save on costs EPA/TDEC grant funding will provide 50-90% cost share School system funds 10-50% (sliding scale based on County Economic Index) Cost estimate can be provided to school after inventory is completed and sent to us 10

11 TN SC3 Project Overview Provide follow-up training for teachers to prevent similar situation in years Chemical ordering: smaller amounts, coordinated with curriculum (MSDSs) Lab Safety: fume hood calibration, spill kits, personal protective equipment Green chemistry: use less hazardous chemicals to teach same principles (Union University) Microchemistry: use small amounts of chemicals, produce less waste 11

12 SC3 Requirements Assign a primary contact person Complete an inventory of all excess lab chemicals Implement a chemical management plan 12

13 TN SC3 Primary Partners TN Department of Environment and Conservation TN Department of Education United States EPA School Superintendents Science Teachers Fire Marshal s Office 13

14 Additional Key Partners Education Partners TN Department of Education, Union University, Sewanee University of the South, University of Tennessee Local Partners Fire and police departments, Homeland Security Technical Partners Clean Harbors, PSC, Veolia, State employees, Certified Hazardous Material Manager (CHMM) 14

15 Chemicals Identified in School Chemical Inventories Acute toxins (e.g., cyanides and arsenates) Flammables and combustibles Known or suspected carcinogens (e.g., formaldehyde) Potential explosives shock friction sensitive Reactive metals Pharmaceuticals (e.g., adrenalin) 50+ year-old chemicals Broken, leaking, degrading containers Improper storage of acids and bases 15

16 SC3 Summary From 2003 December ,123 pounds of lab waste 11,678 pounds of formaldehyde 944 pounds of mercury Affected 167 schools / 169,586 students 16

17 Case Study: Union City, Tennessee Picric Acid 17

18 Case Study: Union City, Tennessee New Partnerships formed Homeland Security Fire Police Highway 18

19 Case Study: Union City, Tennessee Jackson Tennessee Bomb Squad 19

20 While You are in the Schools Computer recycle Textbook recycle Tools for schools Shop Waste Student Driven Recycling Radon in Schools Green Cleaning

21 Take Home Leverage disposal contracts Safety training for all employees Get people involved Green chemistry training for teachers Getting in the door Department of Education Superintendents Science Teachers

22 School Chemical Cleanout Poarch Band of Creek Indians Partners: TN Dept. of Env. & Conservation AL Dept. of Ag & Industries 22

23 Poarch Band of Creek Indians Federally recognized Tribe with Tribal headquarters near Atmore, Alabama, close to the Florida/Alabama border. Ongoing environmental program relationship with EPA to include solid waste/recycling; water pollution control 106 program; 319 nonpoint source; and, General Assistance Program (GAP). Additionally, the Tribe has resource conservation relationships with USFWS, USDA/NRCS and BIA. Previous special projects with EPA on asthma, pesticides and radon. 23

24 High School Demographics Free and reduced lunch 381 free 70 reduced Total students = 600 **over 75 percent on free & reduced lunch 402 African American 147 white 44 Indian 6 Hispanic 1 Asian ** over 75 percent minority 24

25 Problem: Old School Chemicals If not disposed of properly, old school chemicals can present a threat to students, faculty and communities. Dangerous storage conditions: oxidizers and reducers stored unprotected; flammables in inappropriate containers; leaking containers; exposed air ignitable elements; temperature extremes and.? School Budget Unknown Hazards Staff Changes 25

26 EPA REGION 4 RESOURCE CONSERVATION GRANT PROGRAM School chemical cleanout program that inventories chemicals, disposes of them properly and teaches green lab practices Partners: Tennessee, Ken Nafe for his expertise in school chemical cleanouts and green chemistry Alabama, Tony Cofer for assistance in finding a disposal contractor for pesticides 26

27 Disposal to Date Poison by Inhalation 39 Ignitables 408 Mercury and Mercury containing compounds 76 Reactives 119 Acids 466 Caustics 302 Oxidizers 446 Non DOT/RCRA 280 Toxics 3,694 TOTAL 5,830 lbs Disposal Cost $16, Identified another 250 lbs 27

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35 SC3 Opens Doors Since the school cleanout events, several schools have invited the tribal environmental department to speak with the students on different environmental issues. 35

36 Key Points Success comes with building good relationships and having the right partners Understand that the program must be flexible and able to confront each case in a different way Grants or any available funding 36

37 Pollution Control Industries, Inc. A SC3 Partner Tita Lagrimas Executive VP of Regulatory Affairs 37

38 Obstacles Finding the school s key contact person to make it happen. Getting the word-out on SC3 to teachers and administrators. Coordinating the removal with applicable parties. Managing SC3 projects with day-to-day load.

39 Getting the Word Out Lake County Solid Waste Management District/Environmental Education Department Lake County Teacher Appreciation Conference Visiting Local Schools in East Chicago, Indiana Choosing Business Opportunities Partnering with CKRC and USEPA

40 Block Jr. High School Located in East Chicago, Indiana Students 512 Free / Reduced Lunch 89%

41 Block Jr. High School Packing, Removal & Disposal Poison Inhalation Hazards - 0 Ignitable - 53 Mercury and Mercuric Compounds - 5 Reactives - 11 Acids - 15 Caustics - 5 Oxidizers - 15 Toxics - 5 Non DOT / RCRA Material - 50 TOTAL PIECES - 159

42 Block Jr. High School Additional Opportunities PCI s Chemist spoke to Students - Education - Environmental stewardship - Potential hazards of improper segregation of chemicals and aging chemicals - Advantages of green chemistry - Managing chemical inventory

43 Block Jr. High School Challenges Finding proper contact Communicating risks Scheduling at time when school is not in session Receiving the green light to go in and do the packaging of chemicals

44 Tabernacle Christian School - Orphanage Located in Greenville, South Carolina Urgent need to remove chemicals Initial cost estimates were beyond school s fiscal resources Children exposed to unsafe environment

45 Tabernacle Christian School Packing, Removal & Disposal Began as a business opportunity and ended as a SC3 Project. Ten lab pack containers of : D001, D002, D003, D005, D006,D007, D008, D009,U018, U019, and U117

46 Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation School Cleanout

47 Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation Mr. Robert Smith Environment & Natural Resources Department Mr. Matt Langenfeld Region 8 Eagle Butte H.S. Eagle Butte, South Dakota Dupree H.S. Dupree, South Dakota Takini H.S. Howes, South Dakota

48 Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation Takini School Removal & Disposal Poison Inhilation Hazards - 0 Ignitable 20 Mercury and Mercuric Compounds - 0 Reactives - 8 Acids - 39 Caustics - 27 Oxidizers -10 Toxics Non DoT / RCRA Material - 14 Total Pieces - 245

49 Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation Dupree High School Poison Inhalation Hazards - 25 Ignitable - 60 Mercury and Mercuric Compounds - 20 Reactive - 60 Acids - 70 Caustics - 20 Oxidizers - 34 Toxics Non DOT / RCRA Material - 40 Total Pieces - 439

50 Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation Cheyenne Eagle Butte Removal & Disposal Poison Inhalation Hazards - 27 Ignitable Mercury and Mercuric Compounds - 21 Reactives - 5 Acids - 30 Caustics Oxidizers Toxics Non DOT / RCRA Material - 60 Total Pieces - 921

51 Remote location Challenges Liaison between USEPA and PCI with the Reservation Representatives South Dakota in the winter time

52 To Continue Efforts During These Economic Times Additional Partners per project to manage cost. Packing/Education Transportation/Fuel Disposal

53 Wyoming School Chemical Cleanout Program Bruce Hayes Wyoming Department of Education 53

54 Wyoming Department of Education WDE commitment to school safety $75,000 state startup funding EPA competitive grants followed 2002 through

55 Primary Focus School Laboratories General Science Biology Chemistry 55

56 Goals for Wyoming Schools Create a Safer Environment By: Financial assistance to districts for removing hazardous chemicals Providing hazardous materials guidelines Better management of chemical inventories Promoting best practices to reduce laboratory hazards 56

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60 Hazardous Materials 60

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63 Incompatible Storage 63

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67 Maintenance Chemicals 67

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70 School Chemical Cleanout Through Collaboration EPA State Superintendent Public School Districts Department Program Manager Tribal Environmental Departments University of Wyoming Legislature Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Private Service Providers 70

71 Region 8 School Cleanout Success 38 Wyoming schools cleaned out to date Safer environment for 9,492 students 19,154 pounds of hazardous chemicals properly disposed Joint expenditure of state monies, EPA grants and district funding = $276,000 ($75,000 State, $77,000 EPA, $124,000 contributing school funds) 71

72 Behavior Changes Needed Teachers stockpile and inherit chemicals School administration is not always aware of danger Inconsistent message from school leaders on safety Inventories not updated Bulk chemical buying Chemicals outside of current curriculum are retained 72

73 Future Program Direction Continue to identify schools in need. Biennium budget requests for legislative funding through Wyoming Department of Education. Seek grant opportunities. Keep state guidelines updated. Utilize community pickups when possible. Maintain collaborative ties. 73

74 Keys to an Effective Multi-Agency Cooperative Chemical Cleanout Campaign Find a champion to take ownership of the program. Understand that the legislature cannot be the only source of action. Design a flexible program where districts have a stake in the process and funding is leveraged. Utilize the services of a volunteer multi-agency School Safety Committee. Find a mentor. 74

75 Keys to an Effective Multi-Agency Cooperative Chemical Cleanout Campaign Cultivate professional relationships (EPA, Department of Environmental Quality, business managers, superintendents, inter-department contacts). Find startup revenue (standard budget process, monies that go with establishment of new office, corporate sponsorship, etc.). Aggressively pursue available competitive grants. Secure the sanction of the leadership in your organization. 75

76 Keys to an Effective Multi-Agency Cooperative Chemical Cleanout Campaign Ensure program infrastructure is SIMPLE. Remove all non-value added steps. Provide written instructions to schools on how to handle hazardous materials. Participating collaborative agencies should agree on and commit to a win-win approach. Ensure key collaborators maintain a record of all work accomplished. Follow internal steps that you map out. 76

77 For More Information Outreach materials and information for schools/partners. Links to helpful tools (SC3 Toolkit) including Building Successful Programs to Address Chemical Risks in Schools: A Workbook with Templates, Tips, and Techniques. Wyoming School Safety Page (coming soon contact Bruce Hayes for more details) Wyoming Department of Education: TN SC3: Poarch Band of Indians: PCI: 77

78 Contact Information Cyndy Merse US EPA Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (703) Ken Nafe Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (615) John English Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tita Lagrimas Pollution Control Industries, Inc. (219) Bruce Hayes Wyoming Department of Education (307)