DCHAS-L Archives, Aug 16 2014 - Re: [DCHAS-L] High School Lab Safety

In addition, the "American Association of Chemistry Teachers" (AACT) is now allied w/ ACS and AACT members get lots of input, guidance and support from ACS. CHAS has made an initial outreach to this group and there will be a proposal made to CHAS this quarter to extend that outreach.

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From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Harry J. Elston
Sent: Saturday, August 16, 2014 5:44 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] High School Lab Safety

Monique,

"Best management practices" of the college/university setting are generally not in place in the K-12 setting. Purchases are often made with the best unit price in mind (read that - largest bottle size), with little or no EH&S input and with little or no training on the part of the instructor. I'm not saying this to be derisive, I am merely stating the facts as I have observed over the last 30+ years. Remember that in the vast majority of states, the HS chemistry teachers are not chemistry majors - they are education majors. For more information, I point you to my JCHAS editorial that appeared in the March/April 2014 issue.

Storage is regulated (or not regulated) generally by the fire marshal.

Additional regulation is not necessary - we already have too much of that in every aspect of our lives. What is needed is education and training. Realistically, that training should begin at the College/University Level and incorporated into the chemistry curriculum. Additionally, states should require their science teachers to have a full major in the science that they teach, not a watered-down version - but that is wishful thinking.

The Division is reaching out, as allowed, though ACS regional meetings by incorporating a session of Ask Dr. Safety during the Regional Meeting's Teacher Day. Additionally, the ACS Committee on Chemical Safety has many resources for secondary school educators.

Harry

On Fri, Aug 15, 2014 at 4:35 PM, Wilhelm, Monique <mwilhelm**At_Symbol_Here**umflint.edu> wrote:

Did anyone else notice the photo on this page and become concerned: http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/robertson/2014/08/12/chemical-spill-closes-greenbrier-high-tuesday/13943343/? I see 4L bottles there. Looks like the HNO3 was only 500mL. But, why would they still be storing so much chemicals these days? Does anyone know what is being done to assist the K-12 community with best practices for chemical management? What kind of requirements exist for chemical safety training and lab management?

Thanks,

Monique Wilhelm
Laboratory Supervisor/Adjunct Lecturer/Chem Club Co-Advisor
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
University of Michigan-Flint
Flint, MI 48502

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Harry J. Elston, Ph.D., CIH
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