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Chemical Management
When is a Chemical Mismanaged?
Chemicals may be considered mismanaged when they are:
- In poor condition;
- Expired;
- Overabundant (i.e., more of a chemical is purchased and stored than
is needed or used);
- Hazardous or potentially hazardous, when a less hazardous
substitute is an option;
- Not essential to the school's function;
- No longer needed or used;
- Unknown;
- Not clearly labeled with the chemical name, date, and storage and
handling requirements;
- Stored alphabetically or near incompatible chemicals;
- Stored in inappropriate containers, such as buckets or reused food
containers;
- Stored next to food;
- Stored on deteriorating, unstable, or inappropriate shelving (ex.
flammables stored on wood, or corrosives stored on metal shelving);
or
- Unsecured.
For additional pictures of mismanaged chemicals, view Examples of Mismanaged Chemicals (PDF) (8 pp, 463K, about PDF) | PowerPoint Version (8 pp, 6.2MB).
We have provided answers to some frequent questions on responsible chemical management:
- Where are Potential Chemical Hazards Found in Schools?
- Why Develop a Chemical Management Program?
- What is a Chemical Management Program?
Where are Potential Chemical Hazards Found in Schools?
When handled responsibly, chemicals are useful tools within schools. They enable students to see chemical reactions first hand in the science lab, create beautiful works of art in the studio, and restore vehicles in automotive shop. However chemicals can be potentially dangerous if they are used improperly or mismanaged.
Examples of some potential chemical hazards are in the table below. Links, mostly to information in the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards, provide more detailed information on chemical characteristics and health effects.
| Location | Product Type | Hazardous Ingredient Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Science Labs | Acids (undiluted) | hydrochloric
acid nitric acid |
| Bases (undiluted) | sodium hydroxide | |
| Solvents | methanol methylene chloride | |
| Oxidizers | lead
nitrate  | |
| Compressed gases | oxygen
| |
| Toxins | cyanides chromates mercury salts | |
| Vocational and Trade Shops | Solvents (used in paints, paint thinners, adhesives, lacquers, primers, and other products) | petroleum
naphtha turpentine |
| Cleaning supplies, detergents | phosphoric
acid sodium silicate | |
| Compressed gases | acetylene nitrogen | |
| Fuels, transmission, and brake fluids | gasoline | |
| Visual and performing art studios | Solvents (used in paints, paint thinners, adhesives, lacquers, primers, and other products) | petroleum
naphtha turpentine |
| Pottery clear coating glaze | lead | |
| Pigments for paints and coatings | cadmium manganese chromium | |
| Acids for etching | nitric
acid hydrochloric acid | |
| Dry clay for ceramics and jewelry | silica | |
| Custodial/Maintenance Areas | Cleaning supplies/detergents | butoxy
ethanol trisodium phosphate |
| Drain cleaners (alkaline) Drain cleaners (acidic) |
potassium
hydroxide sulfuric acid | |
| Pesticides (including disinfectants/sterilizers) | permethrin
sodium hypochlorite | |
| Paint thinners | toluene | |
| Solvents (used in paints, paint thinners, adhesives, lacquers, primers, and other products) | xylene | |
| Swimming Pools | Water treatment chemicals | "chlorine
tablets" |
| Kitchens/Cafeterias | Pesticides (including disinfectants/sterilizers) | sodium
hypochlorite |
| Cleaning supplies/detergents | ammonium hydroxide | |
| Refrigerants | freon ammonia | |
| Nurses' Offices | Medical equipment | mercury (thermometers and blood pressure manometers) |
| Photography Laboratories | Intensifiers/reducers | potassium
dichromate hydrochloric acid |
| Developers | hydroquinone | |
| Stop baths and fixer | acetic acid | |
| School Grounds/ Athletic Fields | Pesticides | 2, 4-D |
| Fertilizers | ammonium
nitrate | |
| Administrative Offices | Correction fluid | ethylene
glycol trichloroethane |
| Solvents (used in paints, paint thinners, adhesives, lacquers, primers, and other products) | methyl
ethyl ketone petroleum distillates | |
| Printer/copier toners | carbon black |
Why Develop a Chemical Management Program?
A chemical management program will:
- Protect the health and safety of students and school personnel;
- Prevent fires and spills;
- Prevent chemical accidents and school closures;
- Reduce chemical exposures;
- Create a healthier school environment;
- Improve your local school;
- Reduce liability; and
- Protect the environment
What is a Chemical Management Program?
While one-time chemical cleanouts have an immediate and positive impact on student and staff health, they are not a long-term solution to chemical management problems. For a sustainable solution, schools need to implement a chemical management program. A chemical management program should include a one-time cleanout of outdated, accumulated chemicals, a long-term plan for managing chemicals, and implementation of prevention practices. It helps to ensure that the school is purchasing, storing, using, and disposing of its chemicals in a responsible manner.
Key components of a chemical management program are to:
- Establish a chemical management plan;
- Conduct periodic chemical inventories;
- Plan and budget for chemical purchases, management and disposal;
- Establish environmentally preferable purchasing practices;
- Encourage school staff to use the smallest amounts of the least hazardous chemicals; and
- Offer chemical management and safety training for school staff.
Chemical management programs must be flexible to meet the needs of schools and school districts. Schools can make a positive difference by implementing components of a program that meet their current needs and resources.
For more information and guidance on developing a chemical management program, visit the Resources page.