Managing ChemicalManaging Chemical Hazards in Your Schools

Dave WaddellWaddell Environmental LLCwaddellenviro@yahoo.com

October 1957 Sputnik launched

$4,000,000,000 in grants issued$ , , , g

Targeted for science education

So Schools Bought Lots of ChemicalsSo Schools Bought Lots of Chemicals

They’re still there!y

Dating Your Containers

Identifying Chemical Hazards

• First? Do an inventory• First? Do an inventory

• Identify hazards

• What’s needed?

• How much is needed?• How much is needed?

• How dilute can it be?

Welcome to Your StockroomWelcome to Your Stockroom

• Imagine you’re new teacher• Imagine you re new teacher

• Assess your new site

• Become an investigator

• Assume there are problems• Assume there are problems

Before You Inspect, Assessp

• Safety equipment• Safety equipment available & functional?

• Good ventilation?

• Odd or harsh odors?Odd or harsh odors?

• Itchy eyes?

• Teachers have concerns?

Hmm, What’s this mean?  

Leaking acids or iodineProbably poor ventilation

Open the acid cabinet carefullyOpen the acid cabinet carefully

Is this the eye wash? 

15 minute continuous flow? Don’t think so

How about this one?How about this one?

• Can you do it hands‐free?y

• Which eye would you like to lose?

Who Should Do the Inventory?

• Someone who knows lab chemicals

• Often science teacher• Often science teacher

• Can be a contractor

• Never a student

←Need to be awake enough to notice thisg

Inventories Take a Long Time to Dog

Doing the Inventory?Look Everywhere!

In theIn the Stockroom

In the Cabinets

On Shelves

On Tables

Under the Hood

In Drawers

In Boxes

The Refrigerator in the Lab

And the One in the Break Room

By the Sink

By the Other Sink

Under the Sink

On the Benches

On the Carts

In Corners

In Classroom B k

Potassium Bookcases cyanide

Look High

Look Low

Check the Window SillCheck the Window Sill

Check the Backyardy

Chemical Inventory ListChemical Inventory List

Chemicals of ConcernChemicals of Concern

• Potential explosivesp

• Water and air reactives

&• Carcinogens, teratogens & neurotoxins

• Poisons via skin contact & inhalation

Where are high‐risk chems found?Where are high risk chems found?

• Potential explosives and reactives• Potential explosives and reactives– Science, especially biology

• Carcinogens, teratogens & neurotoxins– Science, Art, Shop, MaintenanceScience, Art, Shop, Maintenance

• Poisons via skin contact & inhalationf (!!!)– Science, Art, Cafeteria (!!!)

Explosive Chemicals in SchoolsExplosive Chemicals in Schools• Surprisingly common• 59% of Seattle’s had them• Twisting the cap can cause detonationTwisting  the cap can cause detonation

Picric Acid – TrinitrophenolSi il t TNTSimilar to TNT

• Shock‐sensitive high explosive = Bomb Squadl ll d ’ l d• Also called Bouin’s Fluid

Ethyl Ether & Other Peroxide Formers

• If opened, explosive crystals start formingL b l i i h d d• Label it with date opened

• Dispose as haz wasteDispose as haz waste six months from date opened

Potassium MetalPeroxide Former & Water ReactivePeroxide Former & Water Reactive

• Silver – Potassium ‐Water reactive

• White P Hydroxide Corrosive• White – P. Hydroxide – Corrosive

• Yellow – P. Superoxide

–Water reactive, corrosive, unstable

• Red P Ozonide Highly reactive explosive• Red – P. Ozonide ‐ Highly reactive, explosive

So just how explosive are these?So just how explosive are these?

• Isopropyl ether bottleIsopropyl ether bottle

• Crystals in bottom

O i id• Organic super‐oxides

Reacting just to sunlightReacting just to sunlight

Auto Detonated

Other ReactivesM lli S diMetallic Sodium

• How much do you use in five years?y

Three Forms of PhosphorusThree Forms of Phosphorus

• Red Phosphorus (P)–Poison

– Flammable solid– Flammable solid

• White & Yellow P–Pyrophoric & poison

– Stored under water

–Note water level in jar

Crystals on Bottles – Explosive?Crystals on Bottles  Explosive?

Explosive Crystals?, Nope, 

Explosive Tetrahydrofuran peroxide crystals.Crystals on acid bottle, no big deal. 

Crystals on solvent cap, assume explosive. 

Identifying Potential ExplosivesIdentifying Potential Explosives

• Know your chemicals• Know your chemicals

• Ban Candidates in school chemicals database

• Most stored in the flammables cabinet 

• Never touch caps of unexamined bottles• Never touch caps of unexamined bottles

• Carefully move bottles to see labels

At LHWMP Rehab the Lab Websitehttp://www.lhwmp.org/home/educators/chemlist.aspxhttp://www.lhwmp.org/home/educators/chemlist.aspx

Tips on Use 

• Search partial words:

• Explo gets “explodes”• Explo gets  explodes  & “explosive”

D l d t E l• Download to Excel

• Click a name for more information

• Many synonyms

Let’s Take a Short BreakLet s Take a Short Break

Neurotoxins in SchoolsNeurotoxins in Schools

• LeadM• Mercury

• Hexane + AcetoneHexane + Acetone

LeadLead• Pottery glazes

• Lab chemicalsLab chemicals

Mercury is a significantsignificant problem for schools

Mercury Banned From Many SchoolsMercury Banned From Many Schools

Case Study – Nevada 2003

• Middle School• Middle School

• Small vial of mercury

• School closed 2+ weeks

• Clean up cost >$100 000• Clean‐up cost >$100,000

63

Case Study – Washington, DC, 2003

• Kids w/ 250 mls of mercury• Kids w/ 250 mls of mercury

• Spread it through school

• School closed for 35 days

• Clean up cost $1 500 000• Clean‐up cost $1,500,000

64

AVOID HEXANE + ACETONE COMBO!

• Neurotoxin if inhaled or on skin

ll• Destroys nerve cells in extremities

• Poor recovery from damaged nerves

© http://planningwithkids.com/2009/08/20/fabric-covered-stationery/ Used with permission

Known Carcinogens ‐ Arsenic

Carcinogens = Chromatesg

Carcinogens = CadmiumCarcinogens   Cadmium

Carcinogens = Benzene

Carcinogens = Asbestos

Carcinogens = Formaldehyde

Carcinogens = Nickel Dust

Teratogens

• Can cause birth defects• Can cause birth defects

• Dichlorobenzene–Urinal hockey pucks

• FormaldehydeFormaldehyde

• Xylene and Toluene, –Common solvents

Skin Contact Hazards

Hydrofluoric AcidHydrofluoric Acid

• Anesthetic ‐ Doesn’t• Anesthetic ‐ Doesn t burn on contact

• Absorbed through skin

• Deep tissue and boneDeep tissue and bone disintegration

E t i• Extreme pain, gangrene, amputation