Inspiring 2008 Hero Nominee - Dr. Jack Gerlovich 

Dr. Jack Gerlovich, Nominated by Dennis McElroy, PhD, Asst. Professor of Education, Graceland University School of Education
Dr. Jack Gerlovich, Nelle Levvitt Professor of Education, Drake University School of Education, Des Moines, Iowa; Founded JaKel, Inc. in 1986, an Iowa registered corporation specializing in science education safety products and services for elementary, middle, junior high, high school, community college, and teacher preparation colleges.

Dr. Jack Gerlovich's primary area of research interest is in science safety. He has authored 8 books, 30 professional journal articles, and The Total Science Safety System CD-ROM's.

During the past 20 years, he has built custom state CD-ROM and training packages for 20 U.S states, addressing applicable laws, codes, and professional standards unique to each. In addition he has conducted 500 school safety assessments, served as a consultant to government agencies, private business, publishers, and the legal profession. He is past Chair for the Safety Advisory Board for the National Science Teachers Association.

Dr. Gerlovich has served as the State Science Supervisor for the Iowa Department of Education and as an Iowa science teacher. He was also been active in school science and mathematics education and computer networking and has received several grants from the National Science Foundation, State of Iowa, and private foundations.

Dr. McElroy wrote:

Jack is recognized by his peers across the country as our nation's top expert concerning science safety in the learning environment. In 1986 he founded JaKel, Inc. a science safety company that focuses on working with teachers to create the safest possible science learning environment...
Jack is an outstanding individual who has dedicated his life to the cause of science safety. I can think of no other person who is more deserving of this recognition.

I began working with Jack in 1999 and since then we have been contracted by 14 states to create a state specific version of the Total Science Safety System software and to provide training for teachers in those states.

JaKel works through the department of education in each state and collaborates with OSHA, the fire marshal and other safety personnel to personalize the software to the specific state. In two states, Tennessee and South Carolina, the software has been made an official state document. Of particular importance, there have been no serious science safety related accidents in any of the 14 states that are using the Total Science Safety System. Drake University has recognized Jack's contributions and uses him as an example of why students should come to Drake.

Champion of Safety (Excerpt from the article "Get Your Hands on This: School of Education professor's active approach creates a lasting impression.")

While education majors and elementary students are inspired by Gerlovich's inquiry-based activities, educators throughout the world know him as the expert to call when it comes to maintaining science safety in the classroom. "I'd start a Jack fan club if I could," says Clara Stallings, middle school science consultant for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. "He has single-handedly though he'd never say that transformed science safety in elementary and secondary classrooms."

As a father, Gerlovich worried about the safety of his two daughters in science classrooms cluttered with unmarked chemicals, outdated equipment and unclear or nonexistent procedures for safety and accident prevention. Many schools around the nation were simply not equipped to collect and standardize safety information according to state and industry specifications.

As a science educator, he decided to take action. Through his teachings at Drake and his company JaKel, Inc., Gerlovich researches and compiles requirements, guidelines and operating procedures, state by state.

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Inspiring 2008 Hero Nominee --  Barbara Lee Foster


Barbara Lee Foster, Nominated by Erik A Talley, Chair, Division of Chemical Health and Safety, American Chemical Society, New York.

Barbara Lee Foster is known for her commitment and pursuit of excellence in safety. Barbara L. Foster is a Certified Chemical Hygiene Officer. At West Virginia University, Morgantown, she is the Department of Chemistry Safety Director and Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Safety Program Coordinator.

Erik Talley wrote, In addition to her duties within the University, she actively supports K-12 science programs with materials and is a safety resource to teachers...Barbara is an inspirational leader and presents an exemplary role model for presenting science in a safe, enjoyable and educational manner. She frequently presents safety workshops for teachers and encourages her colleagues to work in their communities to enhance safety in science classrooms.

Foster has published many papers, created a variety of resources for science teachers including manuals such as Laboratory Safety and Management, A Handbook for Teaching Assistants, (2007).

IN HER OWN WORDS

From the WVU Chemistry Department webpage, Message from the Safety Director:

It is with a keen sense of responsibility that we prepare our students for their careers in laboratory settings in academia, industry, government, law enforcement, and the health sciences. We realize that what our students learn about safety in our laboratories will have a significant impact on all of the people who will share their work environments in the future. Work Safely and Teach Safety!

From "In pursuit of excellence in safety," Journal of Chemical Health & Safety, May/June 2007.

How do we ascertain the efficacy of a laboratory safety program? If we set a goal to achieve excellence in all aspects of our safety program, where do we set the bar? To achieve a measure of excellence, several key elements must be present and function at the highest possible level within a laboratory safety program. These essential elements include: Administrative Responsibilities, Safety Documents, Chemical Management Program, Laboratory Inspection Program, and Emergency Preparedness...

I encourage you to instill a philosophy of safety in your laboratory and workplace. Set a good example every day by following the safety rules, enforcing the safety rules, and providing a safe and healthy learning environment for your students and employees.

Foster is also active professionally as a Member of the ACS Joint Board-Council Committee on Chemical Safety and Secretary (2004-2006) of the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety. Barbara serves on the Board of Editors for the journal Chemical Health & Safety. She is the recipient of 2006 Tillmanns-Skolnick Award for outstanding service to the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety and 2007 Chair, American Chemical Society Division of Chemical Health and Safety.

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Inspiring 2008 Hero Nominee -- Dwight Peavey

Dwight Peavey, PhD Senior Scientist at US EPA Region I
Nominated by Rick Reibstein of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Office of Technical Assistance and Technology
 
Dr. Peavey is the regional expert on toxic chemicals and their environmental fate and adverse effects on the environment and human health. In the last five years, he has brought an "integrated chemical management program" to several Massachusetts schools systems.

He has saved these schools thousands of dollars in hazardous chemical removal, reduced chemical exposure to teachers, staff and students, minimized liability, and created integrated real time "pharmacy-like" chemical management. In addition to providing better chemical security, integrated chemical management programs lead to additional cost savings as schools avoid unnecessary re-ordering and expensive specialized storage.

Massachusetts is one of six states where schools are not required to have a chemical hygiene program. Nor is it an OSHA state. So Dr. Peavey's success in risk reduction in schools is attributable to his initiative and unique dedication, as well as his expertise and interpersonal skills.

"During my watch, no harm should come to a child." says Dr. Peavey. "When a child or a teacher goes to school, he should come home in the same condition he went there."

Dr. Peavey is EPA's New England Small Business Ombudsman, Chemical Right-To-Know liaison, Brominated Flame Retardant expert and the Senior Assistance Coordinator. He is the regional coordinator for the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. Dwight serves as the regional Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxics (PBTs) and High Production Volume Chemical Challenge Program liaison.

In his various positions, Dr. Peavey has made presentations at state, regional, national and international seminars, workshops and conferences on all aspects of small business assistance, EPCRA, Toxics Release Inventory, Pollution Prevention, PBTs, Chemical Right-To-Know, and EPA's Small Business Policy. As the regional Small Business Ombudsman, Dr. Peavey has partnered with SBTAPs, the Small Business Development Centers, colleges/universities and various small business trade associations throughout New England.

Prior to EPA, Dr. Peavey was the executive director for the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association, consultant to the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture, and assistant professor at the SUNY Geneseo.

HERO 2008  Allyson Kelley, Rocky Mountain College, American Indian Affairs, Project Director, MICCP CARE Project, http://cobalt.rocky.edu/~CARE/ The 2008 Healthy Schools Heroes Award goes to a TEAM of five people who demonstrate how state and federal agencies can take leadership for school safety. Nomination by Randy Brown, of the US EPA, Region 8 (8P-TA), Tribal Assistance Program, Denver, CO Randy Brown writes: Allyson Kelley has consistently gone above and beyond all expectation to remove toxic and hazardous chemicals from tribal schools and schools with high Indian population. Allyson is passionate and very successful with tribal school chemical cleanout activities. Removing chemicals from these schools prevent eventual release to air, water, and soil. All chemicals collected are listed on a hazardous waste manifest and transported for appropriate disposal at a Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF) according to land ban restrictions. Some recent examples of the extraordinary work completed by Allyson are included as follows. TRIBAL SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT, NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION AND CROW RESERVATION: Allyson worked directly with representatives of the collaborative team of Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Crow Tribe, EPA, Hardin Public Schools, and Rocky Mountain College (RMC) to assess school chemical cleanout needs at Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Crow Reservation, and high Indian population schools in Hardin Montana during the spring of 2007. A total of 8 schools, Chief Dull Knife College, and the Boys and Girls Club were assessed. Incompatible chemical storage of a strong oxidizer in a flammable cabinet was immediately corrected. Numerous toxic chemicals including potassium cyanide, mercury, mercuric chloride, arsenic trichloride, arsenic trioxide, ammonium hydroxide, bromine water, acetaldehyde, toluene, benzene, tetrahydrofuran, and carbon tetrachloride were located and added to the schools inventory for future disposal. TRIBAL SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT, NORTHERN CHEYENNE INDIAN RESERVATION: Allyson worked directly with representatives from the collaborative team of EPA, and Rocky Mountain College (RMC) to arrange for collection and proper disposal of toxic and hazardous chemicals from Chief Dull Knife College, and the Boys and Girls Club in Lame Deer, Montana on August 23, 2007. Numerous toxic chemicals including potassium cyanide, mercuric chloride, mercuric oxide, acetaldehyde, naphthalene, sodium hydroxide, phosphoric acid, ammonium nitrate and lithographic chemicals containing polyvinyl alcohol, glycol ethers, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and solvents were collected by a hazardous waste broker. A total of 1,320 pounds of chemicals were manifested and shipped for disposal. Funding for disposal was leveraged by Allyson from a Montana Indian Country CARE Project with RMC. This work would not have been completed without Allyson's constant attention and commitment. INDIAN COUNTRY SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT: CROW INDIAN RESERVATION: Through An EPA Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) grant to the Rocky Mountain College, American Indian Affairs, Allyson Kelley has helped clean out hazardous chemicals from the Plenty Coups High School in Pryor, Montana during the Fall of 2007. In collaboration with the school and Region 8's Pollution Prevention and Toxics Unit, Rocky Mountain College arranged for collection and proper disposal of toxic and hazardous chemicals. Numerous toxic chemicals including lead sulfide, nitrate, and acetate; silver nitrate and chloride; mercury; potassium chromate; barium hydroxide and chloride; and ethylene glycol were collected by a hazardous waste broker. A total of 158 pounds of chemicals were manifested and shipped for disposal, making the Plenty Coups High School safer for its 65 Indian school children. SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT - NORTHERN CHEYENNE TRIBAL SCHOOLS, NORTHERN CHEYENNE RESERVATION: Allyson Kelley with EPA Region 8, through a grant to the Rocky Mountain College, cleaned out hazardous and toxic chemicals from the Elementary, Middle, and High Schools in Busby, Montana during the Winter of 2007. Chemicals included tetrahydrofuran; toluene; ethylbenzene; xylene; potassium chlorate; nitric, hydrochloric, and sulfuric acid; ammonium and potassium hydroxide; and formaldehyde. Waste paint, maintenance chemicals, and used oil, were also collected. A total of 4,038 pounds of chemicals were manifested/shipped for disposal by a hazardous waste broker.

Hero 2008

Bruce Hayes, Facilities and School Safety Consultant, Health and Safety Unit, Wyoming Department of Education

The 2008 Healthy Schools Heroes Award goes to a TEAM of five people who demonstrate how state and federal agencies can take leadership for school safety. Nomination by Randy Brown, of the US EPA, Region 8 (8P-TA), Tribal Assistance Program, Denver, CO

Randy Brown writes:

Bruce Hayes has consistently gone above and beyond expectation to remove toxic and hazardous chemicals from Wyoming Public Schools and has assisted with activities in Indian country.

Bruce is very successful with school chemical cleanout activities. Over the past few years, he has worked overtime without compensation to further the school chemical cleanout program in Wyoming. Removing chemicals from these schools prevent eventual release to air, water, and soil.

All chemicals collected are listed on a hazardous waste manifest and transported for appropriate disposal at a Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (TSDF) according to land ban restrictions. Wyoming Public Schools will forever be safer for school children based on Bruce's work. Some recent examples of the extraordinary work completed by Bruce are included as follows.

WYOMING SCHOOL HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL CLEANOUT: Bruce Hayes has been instrumental in encouraging the collection and proper disposal of dangerous chemicals from Wyoming Public Schools. Over 8,000 pounds of hazardous chemicals have been collected from Wyoming schools and sent to commercial facilities for proper disposal.

Bruce has consistently promoted the program at his regular school visits, conversations with school officials, and at local seminars and conferences. The hazardous chemicals removed included strong oxidizers like white phosphorus, and toxic substances like mercury, arsenic, sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide. A total of four pounds of potassium cyanide was collected from one school alone. Bruce instituted a process to leverage funding as much as 50% and greatly increased the number of schools that could be impacted by this program.

He has expedited the cleanout of undesirable chemicals from school laboratories. The initiative is being carried out under the Resource Conservation Challenge (RCC) and other Acts. He has built a lasting partnership with school districts to help them remove and properly dispose of old, outdated, and hazardous chemicals found in middle and high school laboratories. The program requires school districts to match funding and implement best practices guidelines aimed at preventing future buildups of these chemicals. The program, which was originally funded by the State of Wyoming up until State funds ran out on June 30, 2004. His actions have resulted in an ongoing program over the interim.

SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT, WYOMING DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, GOSHEN COUNTY: Through Bruce's encouragement and commitment, the Goshen County School District has safely removed hazardous chemicals from three high school laboratories.

Bruce collaborated with the WDE, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and Region 8's Pollution Prevention and Toxics Unit, the school district arranged for the collection and proper disposal of toxic and hazardous chemicals during the summer of 2007.

Numerous toxic chemicals including: potassium cyanide, mercury, mercuric chloride, lead oxide, cadmium chloride, chromium trioxide, phosphomolybdic acid, bromine, barium chloride, adrenalin, ammonium hydroxide, antimony trioxide, polyvinyl alcohol, thermite black powder accelerant, formaldehyde, pyridine, 2-propanol, toluene, and cyclohexane were collected by a hazardous waste broker. A total of 1,125 pounds of chemicals were manifested and shipped for proper disposal at a RCRA TSDF.

Funding was leveraged as the school district paid 25% of the disposal costs. Bruce has ensured that hazardous chemicals have been removed from over 50% of Wyoming school districts, making schools safer for Wyoming school children, through a Wyoming legislative grant and a series of EPA grants.

SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT: WIND RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WIND RIVER RESERVATION: Bruce Hayes and EPA Region 8, through a grant to the Wyoming Department of Education, cleaned out numerous hazardous and toxic chemicals from the Wind River Middle and High Schools in Pavillion, Wyoming during the Fall of 2007.

Very large volumes and quantities of chemicals including: arsenic, chromium, cadmium, cyanide, lead, and mercury compounds; strong acids and bases; calcium and sodium metal; sodium azide; antimony trichloride; aniline; polyvinyl alcohol, phosphorus pentoxide; xylene; cyclohexene; phthalic anhydride; ethylene glycol; methanol; methylene chloride; chloroform; testosterone; and pesticides were collected by a hazardous waste broker. The student population is 220 and is 31% Indian. A total of 1,306 pounds of chemicals and 1,089 containers were lab packed, manifested and shipped for disposal, making Wind River Public Schools safer for school children and teachers.
 

Heroes 2008

Brian Spangler, Business and Community Assistance Program Manager for the Air, Energy and Pollution Prevention Bureau at the Montana Department of Environmental Quality

Bonnie Rouse, Environmental Specialist, Business, Community Assistance, Montana Department of Environmental Quality

The 2008 Healthy Schools Heroes Award goes to a TEAM of five people who demonstrate how state and federal agencies can take leadership for school safety. Nomination by Randy Brown, of the US EPA, Region 8 (8P-TA), Tribal Assistance Program, Denver, CO

Randy Brown writes:

Brian Spangler and Bonnie Rouse have worked tirelessly and dedicated many hours to school chemical cleanout activities in Montana Indian Country and rural areas over the last few years.

They conducted a survey of 408 Montana middle and high schools statewide to collect information on the types of chemicals present in school science laboratories. Over 38 percent of the schools responded, reporting a total of 570 different chemicals. A total of ten schools and approximately 4,000 pounds of hazardous chemicals have been removed and responsibly disposed.

Cleanouts are planned for an additional four schools, including three in Indian Country. MDEQ also organized a series of one-day training courses on school lab chemical safety and management during the last two weeks of September 2005.

The workshops, which were conducted by Safety and Science Education Consultants, Inc., were held in nine communities. One hundred and fourteen teachers, administrators, and school custodians completed the workshops, representing schools from 43 communities.

The Business and Community Assistance Program of MDEQ has received grant funding that will be used to assist schools in the proper removal and disposal of unwanted chemicals. MDEQ has also received funding from EPA to expand the Laboratory Cleanout Program and the funds are to be dedicated to removing chemicals from more schools in Montana.

The MDEQ has a comprehensive Web site that provides chemical management resources on lab safety, conducting a chemical inventory, chemical purchasing, and other topics: http://www.mdeqschoollabs.com/index.asp

SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT: HARDIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CROW INDIAN RESERVATION: The Montana Department of Environmental Quality, cleaned out numerous hazardous chemicals from the Middle and High Schools in Hardin, Montana during the Fall of 2007. The cleanout was done in collaboration with Rocky Mountain College - American Indian Affairs and EPA and addressed potentially severe risks, i.e., storage of 19.2 pounds of mercury in a Gatorade bottle and cyanide salts stored next to acids. A total of 556 pounds of chemicals were manifested and shipped for disposal.

SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT - POLSON HIGH SCHOOL, FLATHEAD RESERVATION: Region 8, through a grant to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, cleaned out hazardous chemicals from the High School in Polson, Montana during the winter of 2007. Chemicals including aniline, potassium cyanide, antimony trichloride, lead carbonate, hydrofluoric acid, mercury, mercuric chloride, phthalic anhydride, toluene, xylene, ethanol, formaldehyde, and carbon disulfide were collected. A total of 219 pounds of chemicals were manifested/shipped for disposal by a hazardous waste broker. 

HERO 2008
Matthew Langenfeld, USEPA, Region 8, School Chemical Cleanout Coordinator

The 2008 Healthy Schools Heroes Award goes to a TEAM of five people who demonstrate how state and federal agencies can take leadership for school safety. Nomination by Randy Brown, of the US EPA, Region 8 (8P-TA), Tribal Assistance Program, Denver, CO

Randy Brown writes: 

Matthew Langenfeld manages and leads EPA, Region 8 School Cleanout and Indian Country School Laboratory Hazard Consultation Program efforts.

Mr. Langenfeld has made Indian Country School Laboratory Cleanout a strategic priority. The primary objective is to make Indian Country Schools safer for school children. To date, 20 Indian Country schools have been cleaned out in collaboration with

Tribes, Rocky Mountain College, American Indian Affairs, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, and the Wyoming Department of Education. He has provided a power point presentation on goals, hazardous and toxic materials found in schools, incompatible storage, art and maintenance chemicals, collaboration, successes, behavior changes needed, and online materials for the Region 8 Children's Environmental Health Summits in 2006 and 2007. A copy of his Power Point presentation will be made available on request.

Langenfeld has been very dedicated to improving the safety of tribal and rural schools for all school children. He has made himself consistently available as a resource to ensure that schools were assessed, inventories, cost estimates, funding obtained and schools cleaned out in a timely manner. He has led the collective group and ensured their cohesiveness. He has prioritized those schools that have exhibited the greatest risk and severity for exposure and followed through on cleanout. He has led many conversations with school administrators, superintendents, and principals encouraging cleanout activities and offering suggestions for funding opportunities. He recently recognized unacceptable exposure and explosive hazards in schools. He made the cleanout of unsafe storage of 19.2 pounds of elemental mercury in a polyethylene Gatorade bottle, cyanide salt next to arsenous acid capable of creating deadly hydrogen cyanide gas, extremely corrosive hydrofluoric acid, strong oxidizers next to flammable substances, and thermite reaction chemicals a very high priority. These unacceptable hazards have been abated and the chemicals safely collected for proper disposal as hazardous waste.

SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT: WIND RIVER INDIAN RESERVATION: Mr. Matthew Langenfeld organized representatives from the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, Northern Arapaho Tribe, Wind River Environmental Quality Commission, Wyoming Department of Education, Wyoming Public Schools, Roche Colorado Corporation, and EPA to assess school chemical cleanout needs at ten schools on the Wind River Indian Reservation during the week of July 30, 2007. Chemical inventories were completed and proper disposal of hazardous chemicals was discussed. Improper storage of a flammable substance was immediately corrected. Numerous toxic and hazardous chemicals including mercury, mercuric chloride, arsenic metal, lead nitrate, lead tetroxide, potassium dichromate, ammonium hydroxide, bromine gas, carbon disulfide, and methanol were located and added to the schools inventory for future disposal.

TRIBAL SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT: FLATHEAD RESERVATION: Mr. Langenfeld organized representatives from the collaborative team of EPA, Montana Public Schools, and the Bureau of Indian Affairs schools to assess school chemical cleanout needs at the Flathead Reservation during the week of August 13, 2007. A total of eight (8) schools were assessed. Incompatible chemical storage of a strong base in an acid cabinet was immediately corrected. Significant volumes and numerous toxic chemicals including hydrofluoric acid, potassium cyanide, arsenic trioxide, ammonium dichromate, carbon disulfide, mercury, mercuric chloride, lead nitrate, cadmium chloride, ammonium hydroxide, carbon tetrachloride, methanol, benzene, toluene and xylene were located and inventory information was obtained for potential future disposal.

SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT: PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT, ESTES PARK, COLORADO: In collaboration with Mr. Matthew Langenfeld of Region 8's Pollution Prevention and Toxics Unit, the School District arranged for collection and proper disposal of toxic and hazardous chemicals during the summer of 2007. Numerous toxic chemicals including mercuric oxide, lead chloride, cadmium nitrate, chromium sulfate, barium chloride, testosterone, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, formaldehyde, hydroquinone, xylene, hexane, and benzene were collected by a hazardous waste broker. A total of 398 pounds of chemicals were manifested and shipped for disposal. Funding was leveraged as the School District paid 5% of disposal costs. A Standard Operating Procedure for safe use and storage of chemicals has been completed, teachers trained on safe use of chemicals, and remaining chemicals cataloged and tracked. These actions have made Park School District schools safer for Colorado school children.

SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT: MESA COUNTY VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT, GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO: In collaboration with Mr. Matthew Langenfeld of EPA Region 8's Pollution Prevention and Toxics Unit, the School District arranged for collection and proper disposal of toxic and hazardous chemicals during the summer of 2007. Numerous toxic chemicals including ammonium molybdate, lead oxide, lead sulfide, lead nitrate, lithium and sodium metal, silver nitrate, chromium, potassium chromate, barium chloride, barium peroxide, phosphorus pentoxide, adrenaline, testosterone, polyvinyl alcohol, methanol, heptane, and hexane were collected and disposed of by the Mesa County Hazardous Waste Collection Program. A total of 572 pounds of chemicals were manifested and shipped for disposal. Funding was leveraged as the School District paid 5percent of disposal costs. Teachers were trained in Hazardous Waste and Classroom Safety and a purchasing policy was enacted. The purchasing policy worked, as an attempt to order mercuric chloride was prevented. Chemicals were inventoried and micro-scale laboratories included in the curriculum. These actions have made Mesa County Valley School District schools safer for Colorado school children.

SCHOOL CHEMICAL CLEANOUT: SHERIDAN SCHOOL DISTRICT, SHERIDAN, COLORADO: In collaboration with Mr. Matthew Langenfeld of EPA Region 8, numerous hazardous and toxic chemicals were cleaned from the Sheridan School District Middle and High Schools in 2006 and 2007. Teachers were trained on chemical safety; a chemical management plan was developed; and a purchasing policy was enacted. Chemicals including ammonium persulfate; arsenic trioxide; chromic acid; formaldehyde; hexane; lead dioxide, oxide, acetate, and metal; mercury oxide; potassium cyanide and dichromate; and sodium hydroxide were collected by a hazardous waste broker. A total of 934 pounds of chemicals were manifested and shipped for proper disposal.