News for Release: Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007

North American Hazardous Materials Management Association (NAHMMA)

NAHMMA Recognized for Partnering on School Chemical Safety

Contact: Anne Reichman, (480) 889-2650 / rsaguaro@cox.net

(Seattle, WA - Oct. 23, 2007) NAHMMA has been a leader in the nation in bringing the need for school lab cleanouts to national prominence.  Members of the organization have been setting up programs all across the country following a program model that NAHMMA Vice-President, Dave Waddell and the King County Local Hazardous Waste Program developed and implemented in the Seattle area.  A partnership was established with EPA to make available the technical guidance and knowledgeable experience that NAHMMA’s members can offer.  Kolin Anglin, NAHMMA’s President and Environmental Coordinator for BG Products, Inc. in Wichita, KS, was on hand to accept the award on the organization's behalf.

What should a school do with outdated chemicals that may have been sitting in the lab cabinet or storage closet for 20 years or more? EPA's Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign can help schools find partners to give advice in safe chemical removal and management.  EPA is challenging companies and other organizations with chemical expertise to be good neighbors and help schools in their community. 

"Our members have seen the need to help get these older chemicals out of the schools and help the schools operate in a safer, more environmentally friendly way," Anglin said.  "One of our local high schools was nearly destroyed, in part to chemicals in the chemistry lab, and I knew that if there was ever a chance to spread the word on increasing the safety for our kids, I wanted to find a way to do that.  The SC3 partnership with EPA finally gives us a chance to bring these solutions out for more schools around the country to help protect our children.”

EPA's program helps schools safely manage chemicals and avoid costly, and possibly dangerous, accidental chemical spills. The campaign provides schools with a free Web-based toolkit and connects school officials with local experts and industry leaders in chemical management who can assist in safely removing the chemicals from school property. Program partners can offer a broad range of services to schools, from conducting chemical inventories to training school personnel in responsible chemical management.

Community partners and industry leaders that have recently joined SC3 to help schools safely manage their chemicals include the American Chemical Society, BASF Corporation White Stone site, Employers Mutual Casualty Companies, MKC Enterprises Inc., North American Hazardous Materials Management Association, and Pollution Control Industries. 

Across the country, EPA estimates that nearly 33,000 middle and high schools have outdated or improperly stored chemicals onsite in maintenance closets or classrooms that could endanger students, school staff, and surrounding communities. 

More information about EPA's Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign: http://www.epa.gov/sc3/