I applaud my colleagues for references to a number of important 
resources for chemical lists, both a suggested inventory and chemicals 
to avoid, for schools.  Phil Hunter, your reference to the Health and 
Safety Guide for k-12 schools in Washington State is most welcome as it 
contains a wealth of important information.  While I do not question the 
validity of all this information, the main point of this ongoing 
discussion is that one should not be building an inventory of chemicals 
in any school.  It is time our mentality changed from having a room full 
of chemicals to maintaining only a small inventory of necessary, safe, 
and, hopefully, green chemicals needed for specific activities and 
experiments.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------
  David A. Katz              
  Chemist, Educator, Expert Demonstrator, Science Communicator, and 
Consultant   
  Programs and workshops for teachers, schools, museums, and the public
  133 N. Desert Stream Dr. * Tucson, AZ 85745-2277 *  USA
  voice/fax: (520) 624-2207 * email: 
dakatz45**At_Symbol_Here**msn.com
           Visit my web site:  
http://www.chymist.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: List Moderator 
  To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU 
  Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 8:28 AM
  Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Chemical lists for schools

  From: "Hunter, Phil" 
>
  Date: October 3, 2006 11:07:56 AM EDT
  Subject: RE: [DCHAS-L] Chemical lists for schools

  I apologize if someone else has already referenced this. I saw the  
  first post, but have been frantically busy since.

  The Washington State Department of Health and the Office of  
  Superintendent of Public Instruction has published a Health and  
  Safety Guide for K-12 schools in Washington State (http:// 
  
www.k12.wa.us/SchFacilities/HealthSafetyGuide.aspx). Appendix D  
  contains a list of "chemicals deemed unsuitable for use in K-12  
  schools due to excessive risk that exceeds educational utility" and a  

  list of "chemicals appropriate only for advanced level high school  
  science classes due to high risk and limited to small or micro scale  
  quantities".

  Philip Hunter
  Chemistry & Physics Instructor
  Tacoma Community College
  Building 28, Room 223 - 6
  6501 South 19th Street
  Tacoma, WA 98466
  Phone 253-566-5302
  Fax 253-460-4378
  www.tacomacc.edu/home/phunter

Previous post   |  Top of Page   |   Next post