Developed to increase student and teacher awareness of safe laboratory conditions, this guide provides information and suggestions for maintaining a safe laboratory environment. Section 1 contains a listing of potentially hazardous chemicals commonly used in secondary school science classes and section 2 lists potentially hazardous chemicals…

This is a report on the evaluation of the status of the Asbestos in Schools Identification and Notification rule, which requires all public and private local education agencies (LEA's) to inspect, sample, notify occupants, and maintain records on asbestos materials in school buildings. The evaluation consisted of a national survey of 2,600…

Times Beach, Missouri, a small town close to the Meramec River and about 25 miles from St. Louis, is now deserted due to contamination from dioxin, a contaminant generated during the production of some cleansers, herbicides, and pesticides. From November 30, 1982, until the end of January 1983, the "St. Louis Post-Dispatch" ran 55…

Expresses concern over the dangers in presenting chemical demonstrations at regional and national conventions. Lists the interim minimum guidelines for chemical demonstrations to be required for future meeting sessions of the Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society. (TW)

Reviews recent studies that examined blood-lead levels and childhood learning problems. Study findings involving Edinburgh school children suggest that body burdens of lead can diminish the cognitive ability and learning skills of children and that asymptomatic levels of lead can be neurotoxic. (ML)

Reviews asbestos removal legislation and four appropriate abatement methods. Advises school districts to assist principals to develop constructive asbestos management plans and conduct workshops relevant to the health hazards of asbestos. (MLF)

Describes the origin, occurrence, and effects of radon gas. Cites studies which attribute 5,000 to 20,000 deaths per year to radon exposure and the synergistic effect between radon and smoking. Explains ways to reduce risks. (RT)

Discusses the health risks posed by indoor air pollutants, such as airborne combustion products, toxic chemicals, and radioactivity. Questions as to how indoor air might be regulated. Calls for new approaches to environmental protection. (TW)

Outlines a cooperative effort in Iowa to eliminate dangerous or unwanted chemicals from school science storerooms. Also reviews the Council of State Science Supervisor's safety program and discusses how to prevent cuts and punctures from jagged glass tubing. (JN)

Mercury is a naturally occurring and widely used element that can cause health and ecological problems when released to the environment through human activities. Though a national and even international issue, the health and environmental impacts of mercury are best understood when studied at the local level. "Mercury: An Educator's Toolkit"…

The Senate's Environmental and Public Works Committee conducted a hearing in October 2002 to assess green school initiatives: environmental standards for schools, school siting in relation to toxic waste sites, and "green" building codes. The committee reviewed activities undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Office…

This unique document is a training manual for individuals such as job coaches and janitorial crew supervisors who train and work with Developmentally Disabled (DD) workers in vocational classrooms and on job sites. These workers need to be taught the importance of safety in the workplace using methods appropriate to their developmental needs. The…

Responding to the need for users of schools to use their buildings in a way that creates a better internal environment for children and reduces harm to the environment, this document lists the environmental issues that need to be addressed and the corrective recommendations that designers and administrators can apply. Environmental issues cover…

In an effort to highlight the importance of identifying children who have been lead poisoned, the Illinois Department of Public Health produces its surveillance report to alert the community to the geographical risk of lead poisoning and to report on screening results. The hope is that increased public awareness will result in less harm to…

Noting the health risks posed by lead exposure, especially for children under age 6, this guide provides U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendations on how individuals can reduce the risk of lead exposure and prevent lead poisoning. These recommendations range from simple steps that can be done immediately to more rigorous…