Montana School Labs
Introduction
Welcome to MDEQ's School Labs Web Site
Science class is one of the first places kids formally learn about our natural world cialis. Who could forget that satisfactory ‘pop’ in the test tube when hydrogen molecules meet oxygen! The best learning happens in a safe and secure environment; one that includes safety gloves, safety glasses, and a tidy chemical storage cabinet online pharmacy.
Unfortunately, mismanagement and improper storage of hazardous chemicals in school labs has become a nationwide safety issue and is one that effects Montana public schools . The typical middle or high school science lab stocks a variety of chemicals, some of which may be highly toxic, carcinogenic, corrosive, reactive, or even explosive viagra online. Many stockpiled chemicals were purchased for laboratory procedures no longer considered appropriate for children and teens generic viagra. Examples of such chemicals are benzene and carbon disulfide generic cialis.
Science teachers commonly hoard chemicals, with the idea they will have a use for them someday. Additionally, thinking they were getting a “good deal” by buying in bulk, teachers may have purchased excessive amounts of chemicals. As time goes on and science teachers come and go within the school system, that stockpile of lab chemicals grows. Old and outdated chemicals may become unstable, and chemical containers may deteriorate. Chemicals get shoved to the back of the storage cabinet and forgotten. Even under the best storage conditions, accidents and spills can happen, exposing school personnel and students to these potentially hazardous substances.
To ensure the safety of students and school personnel alike, it’s important that Montana schools evaluate the chemicals in their science labs and remove outdated, extremely hazardous, and/or unusable compounds. By being proactive and informed, schools can plan for the costs of removal and disposal before accidents happen.
Benefits of cleaning out the science lab storage cabinet are many. A few come to mind: a safe learning and working environment for kids, teachers, and school staff; elimination of excess chemicals; and improved chemical purchasing and storage practices.
Lab Chemicals Survey
In August 2004, MDEQ surveyed 406 middle and high schools statewide to collect information on the types of chemicals present in our school science labs. Over 37% of the schools responded, reporting a total of 570 different chemicals. Please go to our 2004 Inventory Results web page for the compilation report.
Training Opportunity
MDEQ is organizing a one-day training course on school lab chemical safety and management. The course will be held in several locations throughout the state, in order to reach as many schools as possible. Training will be directed towards teachers and school administrators and will concentrate on lab safety, and chemical storage, handling, and disposal. In addition, the course will include an overview of other environmental concerns for schools such as asbestos, green purchasing, and environmental management plans. Registration will be free and Continuing Education Units will be available. Travel, meals, and substitute teacher costs will not be covered.
Scheduling will depend somewhat upon the availability of the course providers, but we hope to offer the course in the spring and/or late fall of 2005. Please check the Training page for more information. The schedule will be updated as information becomes available.
Other Information
In addition, our Montana School Labs web site provides resources and helpful information on proper management and disposal of hazardous chemicals, related school science lab links, and chemical information. We also have links to lab clean-out projects in other states.
For a visual tour of some storage cabinets needing ‘tidying up’, go to our Picture the Problem page.
Budgeting for Disposal (the hard facts…)
There’s no question, removal and disposal of science lab chemicals can be expensive. King County in Washington State cleaned out over a hundred school labs, for an average cost of about $5000 per school. Nationwide, disposal costs for school chemistry lab clean-outs have been as little as $500 and as high as $80,000. Costs are variable and depend on the types and condition of the chemicals to be disposed.
Unfortunately, MDEQ does not have funding at this time to help schools pay for disposal. What we can provide is information on potential hazards of chemicals in your school lab storage rooms, safety awareness, and technical assistance. We’ll also link you up with people and companies who can help with inventorying and disposal.
Conducting a thorough lab chemical inventory at your school will give you an idea of the types and condition of chemicals in storage. A good inventory will help schools plan for the cost of removing unwanted chemicals. Schools may be able to lower disposal costs by joining with other schools in their areas for ‘group’ removals. In addition, conducting an inventory will provide information on whether adequate storage, handling, and purchasing procedures are in place. Please see our recommended procedures for evaluating science lab chemicals.
Anaconda, Shelby, Kalispell, Missoula County, and Conrad have removed excess and unwanted science lab chemicals from their middle and high schools. The University of Montana (Missoula), Montana State University (Bozeman), and Montana Tech (Butte) have also done lab clean-outs. You may want to contact these schools for information on their experiences.
For more information please contact MDEQ's Hazardous Waste Program at 406/444-5300 or go to the Hazardous Waste Program website. You can also click on the following link for the hazardous waste specialist assigned to your region - MT DEQ Regulatory Contacts.
