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Rehab the Lab Program

Rehab the Lab Program. Working to provide a safe learning environment for Iowa’s children, staff, and communities. Program History…. Short version!. Many calls to IDNR requesting help Few grants at IDNR Developing the network of partners High program cost = low participation

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Rehab the Lab Program

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  1. Rehab the Lab Program Working to provide a safe learning environment for Iowa’s children, staff, and communities.

  2. Program History…. Short version! • Many calls to IDNR requesting help • Few grants at IDNR • Developing the network of partners • High program cost = low participation • Program turning point was involvement and eventual adoption of program by EMC

  3. Partners in the Program • State Fire Marshal’s Office • Iowa Dept. of Public Health • Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources • Iowa Association of School Boards • Jester Insurance • Clean Harbors Environmental • Iowa Public Television • Drug Enforcement Administration • EMC Insurance, Inc. • Environmental Protection Agency • Iowa Association of Building and Grounds • Many Local Emergency Responders Goals of Rehab the Lab • Assist schools in addressing safety concerns • Assist schools in proper chemical storage and disposal • Reduce liability and danger to student, staff and community • Compliance with federal and state regulations

  4. Conditions identified during assessments 50+ year old chemicals 1950’s 1960’s

  5. Chemicals identified during assessments Controlled Substances (DEA) Radioactives

  6. Chemicals identified during assessments Very scary, little rooms with… more radioactives

  7. Conditions identified during assessments Broken, leaking, degraded containers

  8. All those explosives…

  9. Program Progress Report • Since program inception in September 2001: • Assessed or in process: 293 buildings in 175 districts • Disposed of more than 131,980 pounds of hazardous waste (1150+ pounds of mercury and mercury compounds. Other PBT analysis underway) • Identified and properly disposed radioactives, DEA controlled substances in 88 districts • Identified and detonated potential explosives at 67 schools. • Educated more than 1676 school personnel in chemical management, risk reduction and hazardous waste regulations • Awards: 2004 Governor’s Overall Environmental Excellence and Waste Management, 2005 EPA Pollution Prevention Honorable Mention

  10. Program Progress Report • Benefits of Private Company Partnerships: • Vested interest financially generally means more investiture of resources and funding • Non-regulatory “regulation” – they can have significant effect on School’s bottom line • More personnel, lobbying and influence to help schools adjust future practices: everything from attorney fees to printing costs • Concerns with Private Company Partnerships: • Appearance of “heavy-handedness” to school personnel • They own the program = they make the decisions. This includes significant “attorney influence” • What may at first appear to be altruism and true concern for public health and environmental advocacy is truly based in finances. Less risk = less payout = bigger profits.

  11. Rehab the Lab Future… • Assisting other states and Tribal Nations in 4 state area with development of RTL programs • Received EPA grant to develop Rehab the Lab Phase 2 emphasizing pollution prevention, toxics minimization and ongoing management • Information share with federal EPA, school chemical management nationwide panel and many other states • DNR administering RTL Phase 2 funding grant from EPA to assist schools with upgrading science safety • Led to development of partnerships and expanded RCC support to Emergency Response Community throughout Iowa.

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