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EPA Recognizes BASF Corporation in Spartanburg, SC for Improving Chemical Safety in Schools

Release Date: 10/22/2009
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, harris-young.dawn@epa.gov

(Atlanta, Ga. – Oct. 22, 2009) – The BASF Corporation—White Stone Facility in Spartanburg, SC is one of eleven organizations recently honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for promoting responsible chemical management and helping remove potentially dangerous chemicals from K-12 schools in their communities.

BASF-Whitestone was recognized for their assistance to Spartanburg, South Carolina high schools. BASF evaluated the high schools’ chemical laboratory equipment and removed outdated, broken, and unreliable apparatus. In addition, company personnel provided guidance and assistance with obtaining appropriate chemical laboratory items to replace the old equipment. BASF has also worked with the schools to provide teacher training in responsible chemical management practices that can be implemented in schools.

Working with EPA’s Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign (SC3), the eleven organizations removed an estimated 70,000 pounds of potentially dangerous chemicals from approximately 300 schools. The entities were recognized for a range of activities contributing to a reduction in chemical hazards, including:

· assisting schools in developing accurate chemical inventories,
· removing and properly disposing of outdated, unknown, and unneeded chemicals, and
· establishing sustainable programs to properly manage chemicals by training school administrators and teachers on responsible chemical management and green lesson planning.

EPA estimates that more than 33,000 middle and high schools across the country have potentially harmful chemicals that put students and staff at risk. SC3 works with schools, community organizations, and industry to help prevent chemical exposures through proper chemical management.

More information: https://www.epa.gov/SC3