Department of Environment & Conservation
Robert Martineau, Commissioner

School Lab Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3)

A Partner of The Office of Environmental Assistance (OEA)

 

Inventory Procedures- SC3 Inventory Procedures

1. The school contacts the program manager.

2. The program manager makes suggestions on how to inventory the school chemicals.

The teacher or another person familiar with chemicals should do the inventory

The teacher should identify all chemicals not used in class

The teacher should wear proper personal protective equipment while completing the inventory and take special caution with leaking containers and unknowns

During inventory, the chemicals should be handled and moved around as little as possible

The school contact should not transport any lab chemical

When the inventory is complete, all chemicals should remain in the secure storage location while waiting for pick-up by the contractor

The Flynn Scientific Database or SC3's excel spreadsheet may be used for the inventory

The school contact sends by email an excel spreadsheet to the SC3 staff with the chemical names, the health risks, flammable and reactive qualities, and any special hazards associated with each chemical. The teacher should pay special attention to these qualities or hazards when conducting the inventory.

SC3 staff and the hazardous waste contractor review the inventory, looking for potentially high risk chemicals that may pose an immediate health or safety risk to the school. These chemicals are rare. Some shock/friction-sensitive chemicals, such as picric acid, could become explosive when dry and crystals form in contact with metals containers.

If potentially dangerous chemicals are identified, the school is notified immediately, advised of the risk, and given management options. Options include but are not limited to: leave the chemical in place, stabilize the chemical, or contact the local emergency management agency.

The school is advised to keep the chemicals stored in a secure, well-ventilated area. If the school chooses to leave the chemicals in place, the disposal contractor normally will dispose of the chemicals within six months.