Collection of  toxic waste is not a school sport, nor should it be the site for this type of civic activity.  School property should never be used as a hazardous waste collection site by waste collection companies.  The children and their adults supervisors are not trained in hazardous waste disposal nor should children be involved in the handling of toxic chemicals.   The US EPA has determined that children are more susceptible to injury from toxic chemicals and that exposure to toxins can affect a child's ability to learn.  Toxic and hazardous products collected at a school can spill over onto school property, exposing children and personnel.  Exposure to to toxic materials collected, stored, or spilled at a school can negatively affect a child's health and school performance.
If  President Obama wants to put credibility behind his commitment to improving American academic performance he needs to

1. Make it unlawful to use or promote school property for collection, storage, and disposal of toxic waste and  toxic products.
2. Support nationwide participation in National Healthy Schools Day on April 26, 2010,
3. Support funding of the US EPA Tools for Schools Program  to monitor and regulate toxins in, the indoor air quality, of our nation's schools 

If this would have been the case, I would never had been injured by highly toxic chemicals while teaching and neither would the more than two dozen seriously injured children at my school.  Read Chapter One of Toxic Justice, the true story of my toxic injury and my epic fight for justice.

These articles and many more like them disturb me and should concern parents of school children and school personnel.   Nationwide, schools have become toxic waste collection sites, potentially exposing children and adults to toxic chemicals and products.  This list is growing daily. (To view the news stories listed below,  click on colored wording)

• Bucks sets up drop-off dates for hazardous waste (PhillyBurb) "It's time to round up those old pesticides, cleaners and other unwanted chemicals in the garage and basement for Bucks County's household hazardous waste collections - but leave the latex paint at home...  The other drop-offs are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.: June 12 at the Upper Bucks County Vo-Tech School in Bedminster; July 10 at Central Bucks South High School in Warrington; Aug. 14 at Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol Township."  <http://www.buckscounty.org/government/departments/communityservices/planningcommission/Recycling/2010HouseholdHazardousWasteOldComputerProgramBrochure.pdf>
  
• Urbandale residents can get rid of hazardous waste (DesMoines Register) "Metro Waste Authority will let residents dispose of hazardous household waste from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Urbandale Middle School, 7701 Aurora Ave."
• 2009 Southeastern Pennsylvania Hazardous Household Waste and Computer Collection Program, ( Bucks County Board 0f Commissioners) " What can you bring?  As many as three old computers and up to 25 gallons or 22o pounds of hazardous products... Buck's County Technical High School.
•  "High schools want your dead batteries as part of hazardous waste competition  (North Bay Nugget)  "Springcleaning means dropping off dead batteries to high schools that are competing to divert the most hazardous waste from the landfill."
• Southbury, Woodbury hazardous household waste to be accepted in Watertown (CTPost.com)CT  "On April 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., household hazardous wastes will be collected at John Trumbull Primary School, 779 Buckingham St., Watertown...Household hazardous wastes are poisonous, flammable, reactive, or corrosive substances, ones that are harmful to human health and the environment if not disposed of properly."
• Hazardous waste collection (Gatehouse news Service) MA The Burlington Board of Health will conduct its next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, April 24, at Marshall Simonds Middle School, 114 Winn St. . .Oils, gasoline, pesticides, pool chemicals, propane tanks, car batteries, medical sharps and mercury containing materials will be accepted for proper recycling or disposal.
• Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Schedule (Lifestyleblog) "The Department of Construction and Waste Management has scheduled numerous events to help you get rid of your toxic stuff (residential only, no business waste disposal).  Go to www.loudoun.gov/hhw or call (703) 777-0187 for more info or specific questions on what can be disposed of at these events.  All events are on Saturday from 8:30am to 2:30pm.

  • April 17     Heritage High School, Leesburg, VA
  • May 22      River Bend Middle School, Sterling, VA
  • June 26      Stone Bridge High School, Ashburn, VA
  • July 17      Heritage High School, Leesburg, VA
  • Sept. 11     Harmony Intermediate School, Hamilton, VA
  • Oct. 23      Dominion High School, Sterling, VA
  • Nov. 20    Heritage High School, Leesburg, VA