Schools: Chemical Management Regulation
Take action to improve children's health! EPA's comprehensive schools website offers all the resources you need to establish, maintain, or enhance a school environmental health program.
Report possible violations of environmental laws and regulations.
On this page:
- Why It's Important
- What You Can Do
- EPA and Federal Partners
- National Organizations
- Regional, State and Local Resources
Why It's Important
- Hazardous wastes need to be managed from their initial creation until their ultimate disposal, known as "cradle to grave."
- Some chemicals purchased by schools may need to be managed as hazardous wastes and require proper disposal.
- Following federal, state and local regulations on chemical management can help schools avoid preventable environmental, health and safety issues.
What You Can Do
- In addition to following federal regulations, contact your state environmental agency for state or local regulations and guidance.
- The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requires all schools that generate hazardous wastes to notify their state environmental agency and obtain an EPA Identification Number for tracking disposal of school wastes.
- Visit EPA’s RCRA Guidance, Policy and Resources web page for more information.
EPA and Federal Partners
- EPA's Hazardous Waste Generators and Hazardous Waste Generated at Laboratories websites outline federal hazardous waste storage requirements.
- EPA's Regulating Pesticides website provides federal guidance and links to tools to support proper pesticide registration and management.
- The Asbestos Enforcement Program web page by EPA provides basic information about the various environmental regulations governing asbestos in schools (AHERA, ASHARA and NESHAP).
- Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories provides information on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29CFR1910.1450. Find more on the OSHA Law and Regulations web page.
- The Underground Storage Tanks Self-Inspection Checklists cover regulations issued by EPA under 40 CFR 280. The purpose of these regulations is to reduce the likelihood of leaks of hazardous substances from these tanks into soil and ground water and to ensure timely detection and abatement of such releases.
- Inventory of Federal School Environmental Health Activities (PDF) (41pp, 369K) describes major school-related programs and activities of EPA and other federal departments and agencies. The inventory was prepared by the Schools Workgroup of the President's Task Force on Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks to Children.
National Organizations
- Environmental Health Legislation Database Exit by the National Conference of State Legislatures includes summaries of state legislation on topics such as air quality, asbestos, lead, mercury, pesticides, radon, water and more. The database is searchable by keyword, year, state, topic and citation.
Regional, State and Local Resources
- Use the Where You Live map from the Office of Children's Health Protection to find regional and state contacts for information on regulations in your area.