Region 1

Featured Region 1 Resources:

Rhode Island Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs
These regulations, issued by RI Department of Education and RI Deptartment of Health, address a number of environmental/health issues in schools, such as: mercury, pesticide application, asbestos, lead, radon, water supply, and chemical hygiene plans. The regulations prohibit the use of certain chemicals from schools (see Appendix A).
Source: RI Dept Education and RI Dept Health
http://www.rules.state.ri.us/rules/released/pdf/DOH/DOH_2722.pdf

Mercury Assesment for Schools & Communities
This checklist is designed to assist in identifying and locating mercury-containing products and equipment in schools. These products are typically found in the following areas: Science Labs, Facilities, Medical Offices, Home Economics and Art Classrooms.

Source: The Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA)
http://www.newmoa.org/Newmoa/htdocs/prevention/mercury/schools/checklist.cfm

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Improving Environmental Conditions in MA Schools
This website provides links to a variety of web resources that address how to improve the school environment. Topics such as facilities management (including a wide range of environmental, health and safety issues), hazardous waste site impacts on schools, transportation, and waste reduction and recycling are addressed.
Source: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/schools.htm

New Hampshire Healthy School Environments
This website provides links to resources to help schools assess and address health, safety and environmental issues in school buildings. Both a fact sheet on NH Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) efforts to customize EPA's HealthySEAT , as well as New Hampshire customization of the software may be downloaded from this site.
Source: New Hampshire Department of Envrionmental Services Air Resources Division - Air Resources Division
http://www.des.nh.gov/ARD/EHP/HSE

EPA Region 1: Schools and Drinking Water
The EPA Region 1 Schools and Drinking Water website contains a brochure that addresses safe drinking water in schools, as well as a poster and bookmark on source water protection for schools that operate their own well water system.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/eco/drinkwater/schoolsnh2o.html

EPA Region 1: Drinking Water Security
This website provides information regarding how to do vulnerability assessments for small drinking water systems, including schools that provide their own well water.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/eco/drinkwater/dw-security.html

Maine Schools - Mercury and Chemical Clean Out Project
This website describes the ME DEP's 2003 program to reduce mercury and hazardous wastes in schools. Key documents used in this effort, such as a participation agreement, guidelines for conducting a chemical inventory, and spreadsheet for recording chemical inventory are included.
Source: Maine Department of Environmental Protection
http://www.state.me.us/dep/mercury/school.htm

New Hampshire Pollution Prevention in Schools Project
New Hampshire's Department of Environmental Services/Pollution Prevention Program has been providing outreach to NH schools re: proper chemical management. This web site provides information about that program, and provides links to fact sheets on topics such as laboratory chemical management and guidance on eliminating mercury from schools.
Source: New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services - Pollution Prevention Program
http://www.des.state.nh.us/nhppp/schools

Massachusetts Recycling Page
This website links to a solid waste management resource guide for MA schools, providing activities for grades K-6 and 7-12. There are also links to classroom presentation, a manual for implementing school recycling programs, and frequently asked questions about recycling and wate management.
Source: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
http://www.state.ma.us/dep/recycle/schools.htm

Maine School IPM Program
This web site has links to a variety of sources of information on integrated pest management.
Source: Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources
http://www.state.me.us/agriculture/pesticides/schoolipm/

Massachusetts - Green Schools Initiative
The goal of the Green Schools Initiative is to encourage school districts to construct or renovate school buildings that will cost less to operate and will provide healthier learning environments for students. This pilot program is an extraordinary opportunity for school districts planning new schools or major renovations to create more efficient facilities. The program will also help influence how future schools will be designed and built in Massachusetts.
Source: Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC)
http://www.mtpc.org/RenewableEnergy/green_schools.htm

Connecticut - Hazardous Waste and Your School in Connecticut
This fact sheet developed by EPA Region 1 describes how to determine if a school generates hazardous waste, and general information pertaining to hazardous waste identification numbers.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/schools/pdfs/ctfact.pdf

Diesel Exhaust and School Bus Idling--EPA Region 1
This Region 1 web page includes a fact sheet which describes steps that can be taken to reduce diesel emissions, as well as the health effects associated with diesel exhaust.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/eco/diesel/

Massachusetts --A Case Study of Environmental, Health, and Safety Issues Involving the Burlington Massachusetts Public School System
This Web site provides a case study of Environmental, Health, and Safety issues in the Burlington, MA public school system.
Source: EPA Region 7 - Burlington Board of Health
http://www.epa.gov/Region7/education_resources/teachers/ehsstudy/index.htm

Massachusetts - Hazardous Waste and Your School
This fact sheet developed by EPA Region 1 describes how to determine if a school generates hazardous waste, and provides general information about hazardous waste identification numbers.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/schools/pdfs/mafact.pdf

Maine - Hazardous Waste and Your School
This fact sheet developed by EPA Region 1 describes how to determine if a school generates hazardous waste, and general information pertaining to hazardous waste identification numbers.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/schools/pdfs/mefact.pdf

New Hampshire - Hazardous Waste and Your School
This fact sheet developed by EPA Region 1 describes how to determine if a school generates hazardous waste and general information pertaining to hazardous waste identification numbers.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/schools/pdfs/nhfact.pdf

Vermont - Hazardous Waste and Your School
This fact sheet developed by EPA Region 1 describes how to determine if a school generates hazardous waste, and general information pertaining to hazardous waste identification numbers.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/schools/pdfs/vtfact.pdf

EPA Region 1: Energy & ...Your School
This website links to several sources of energy related information for schools, including: fact sheet, tips on energy efficiency, and Energy Star's Target Finder, amongst other links.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/region01/topics/schools/index.html

Connecticut Healthy Environments in Connecticut Schools
This website provides information about indoor air quality in schools, and includes a map of which CT school districts are implementing Tools for Schools.
Source: Connecticut Department of Public Health CT DPH
http://www.dph.state.ct.us/BRS/EOHA/iaqcm.htm

New England Asthma Regional Council Toolkit for Reducing Diesel Emissions
NE Asthma Regional Council created this toolkit to help school communities, environmental officials, and others make informed decisions about ways to reduce harmful diesel emissions from school buses. Both materials created by ARC and generated by others are included in the toolkit, including a variety of fact sheets.
Source: New England Asthma Regional Council
http://www.asthmaregionalcouncil.org/about/BusToolkit.htm

Connecticut Mercury Education and Reduction - School Lab Cleanout Program
This website provides access to information about mercury reduction and education efforts in the state of Connecticut. Posted is a report detailing CT DEP's 2002-2003 School Lab Cleanout Program, which assisted 37 schools, at a cost of $160,000.
Source: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Bureau of Waste Management
http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/mercury/gen_info/mcleanout.pdf

New England Resources for Schools
This website provides links to the Regional schools topics page, hazardous waste fact sheets, examples of the types of environmental issues found in schools, and other links of interest to the schools community.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/schools/index.html

EPA New England Asbestos Enforcement Program
This web site provides basic information about the various environmental regulations governing asbestos in schools (AHERA, ASHARA and NESHAP).
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/region1/enforcement/asbestos/index.html

Connecticut -- School Composting - The Next Step in Recycling
This manual, written specifically for K-12 schools, outlines the steps necessary for establishing and maintaining a successful school-wide composting program for cafeteria food scraps.
Source: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Recycling Program
http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/compost/compost_pdf/schmanual.pdf

Maine Department of Education Facilities Management Template
Includes a draft ME School Facilities Maintenance Plan including checklists for Maintenance, Operations, Grounds, Custodial, and Vehicle Services
Source: Maine Department of Education
http://www.maine.gov/education/const/fmt.htm

Water Conservation Tips for Schools
This EPA New England website link provides information about conserving water in school environments.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/region01/eco/drinkwater/water_conservation_schools.html

EPA Regional and State Asbestos Contacts
List of asbestos contacts in the EPA Regional Offices and the States.
Source: EPA - Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/regioncontact.html

Chem Info Net
The Chem Info Net designed as a chemical health and safety resource for teachers, administrators, and service personnel. The site is an ongoing project and information will be added on a regular basis. The initial focus is on laboratory safety and chemicals used in the science curriculum. The information presented is based on current regulations and prudent practices. Local regulations may differ from National Standards. Please consult local and state agencies if standards or procedures are unclear.
Source: Maine School of Science and Mathematics - (aka Limestone Community School)
http://www.cheminfonet.org/

EPA New England Teacher Resource Center
A compilation of environmental education curricula may be found at this site.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/students/teacher/index.html

EPA New England's K-12 Schools Website
This site discusses efforts to improve coordination and integration amongst EPA's many schools related programs, and provides links to Regional topic specific web sites, such as: asbestos, diesel school buses, drinking water, environmental management systems, energy, indoor air quality, lead, mercury and teacher and student resources. Links to national websites are provided as well.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/schools

Northeast Waste Management Officials Organization, Mercury in Schools and Communities
From January to June 2001, January to June 2002, and March to June 2003, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs funded NEWMOA to assist in identifying and removing elemental mercury and products containing mercury from schools and from homes. Technical materials developed to support this effort are referenced on this web site.
Source: Northeast Waste Management Officials Organization
http://www.newmoa.org/newmoa/htdocs/prevention/mercury/schools

New Hampshire Partnership for High Performance Schools
A high performance school is "one in which all of its systems function in an efficient and synergistic fashion" and such a school provides "a healthy, comfortable environment that facilitates learning, saves money and helps to protect the environment." This website promotes an initiative by the Jordan Institute to promote high performance schools.
Source: The Jordan Institute
http://www.nhphps.org

EPA New England Tools for Schools
Curriculum, case studies, and a map of Tools for Schools distribution and implementation may be found at this web link.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/eco/iaq/index.html

Massachusetts Community Toxics Use Reduction in Schools
The TURN Projects on this site show how many Massachusetts school systems are creatively incorporating toxics use reduction into their policies and daily operations.
Source: Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Institute
http://www.turi.org/community/index.html

Connecticut Pollution Prevention in Institutions - Schools, Hospitals, Universities
This web site provides information about CT DEP's mercury reduction and chemical clean-out work with schools. There is also a link to available pollution prevention presentations for schools.
Source: Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Pollution Prevention Program - Office of Pollution Prevention
http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2708&q=323984&depNow_GID=1763&depNow

Massachusetts Healthy Schools Web site
The Massachusetts Healthy Schools Web site is a resource for promoting healthy indoor air environments and environmentally sustainable school buildings in Massachusetts.
Source: Massachusetts Public Health Association - Massachusetts Healthy Schools Network
http://www.mphaweb.org/pol_schools.html

Vermont Mercury Education & Reduction Campaign - School Science Lab Chemical and Mercury Cleanout Project
This Web site describes how schools can be assisted with inventory and clean-out of unwanted, unlabeled, and unknown hazardous lab chemicals, including mercury and mercury compounds.
Source: Vermont Agency of Natural Resources - Hazardous Materials
http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/ead/mercury/resources/hgpubs.htm#schools

Vermont Why P2 In Your School?
This Web site contains a list of Pollution Prevention strategies that can help your school prevent health hazards, create less environmental pollution, and save money.
Source: Vermont Agency of Natural Resources - Pollution Prevention
http://www.anr.state.vt.us/dec/ead/ppap/index.htm

Massachusetts Preventing Indoor Air Quality Problems During Construction and Renovation
Renovation can adversely impact Indoor Air Quality in occupied building areas. Symptoms include headache, eye, throat, and respiratory irritation, and an increase in asthma complaints. The following recommendations have been successful in reducing Indoor Air Quality complaints during building renovation activities.
Source: Commonwealth of Massachusetts - Department of Workforce and Labor Development - Division of Occupational Safety
http://www.state.ma.us/dos/iaqdocs/IAQ-388.htm

Connecticut - Asbestos Containing Materials in Connecticut Schools
Information on this Web site applies to all non-profit, public and private, elementary and secondary schools in Connecticut. Gives a brief overview of facility requirements and provides links to corresponding applicable regulations.
Source: Connecticut Department of Public Health - Asbestos Program
http://www.state.ct.us/dph/BRS/asbestos/asbestos_schools.htm

Vermont Managing School Budgets Through Wood Energy
In a growing number of schools across Vermont, children are learning in warm classrooms heated with wood energy. Wood chip fuel has proven to be a cost-effective alternative to electricity and oil in industrial, commercial, and institutional applications.
Source: Vermont Agency of Natural Resources - Vermont Wood Energy Program
http://www.anr.state.vt.us/env00/8wood.html

Massachusetts - Environmental Management System Implementation in Waltham, MA Public Schools
The Waltham Public Schools has undertaken an innovative approach to managing their environmental affairs by implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) based on the ISO 14001 international standard.
Source: Waltham Mass. Public Schools
http://www.city.waltham.ma.us/SCHOOL/WebPAge/EMS/EM.htm

Colleges and Universities in New England
Colleges and universities grapple with a myriad of environmental issues in order to protect the health of their communities and comply with the law, both on and off campus.To improve C/Us' overall environmental compliance, EPA-NE has launched a coordinated enforcement/compliance assistance effort aimed at reaching all of New England's colleges and universities.
Source: EPA Region 1
http://www.epa.gov/ne/assistance/univ/