In 1998, contamination in Vermont high schools made headlines when mercury spills and releases caused school closings, followed by expensive cleanups. But mercury is only one of hundreds of potentially toxic, corrosive and carcinogenic chemicals present in school buildings.
In some schools, science labs and storage closets are notorious havens for unused, expired and unlabeled chemical containers. The longer these chemicals remain and accumulate, the greater the risk of exposure to students, faculty and staff by spillage, breakage or misuse. Schools that have thoroughly cleaned out their school science labs have had disposal bills ranging up to several thousand dollars for proper disposal. The high cost of eliminating these chemicals can discourage some schools from tackling a problem that has developed over many years.
The Agency of Natural Resources, in cooperation with Vermont Solid Waste Districts and Alliances and the Association of Vermont Recyclers, is funding a one-time program to rid schools of unwanted science lab chemicals. Schools can receive assistance in conducting inventories and in having their waste chemicals transported off-site for proper disposal. As part of the program, science teachers will also receive training on proper chemical management, storage, purchasing and use reduction to avoid costly disposal and unsafe conditions in the future.
To date, almost half of the middle and secondary schools in the state have signed up for the program. To find out if your school is participating or to get more information on the School Science Lab Chemical and Mercury Clean-Out Projects, please contact me at 802- 241-3626.
Gary Gulka is chief of the Waste Prevention Section at the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources.
Article posted for the week of August 30, 1999.