Perhaps there are containers, long forgotten, in the science lab? Perhaps the irritants are the paints in the art class. Ammonia? Old batteries? How are computers and electronic equipment disposed of in your school?

If you are worried that your school is ignoring such issues, the Environmental Protection Agency has workshops to help.

A series of free workshops for K-12 schools will be held on environmental compliance assistance and best management practices. There will be information on environmental care of schools; recycling; free EPA software on managing health and safety information; guides for health and safety in the arts; and K-12 environmental manuals.

The EPA encourages attendance from health and safety personnel, art and science educators, buildings and grounds supervisors, school nurses, computer personnel, custodians and printers.

The workshops are sponsored by several New York and New Jersey colleges and universities, with the support of EPA Region 2.

The federal agency began inspecting higher education institutions after realizing many colleges do not understand that environmental regulations apply to them. The agency next plans to inspect K-12 schools.

"EPA knows that many K-12 schools have serious issues," said Wendy Hord, NYSUT health and safety specialist.

Some higher ed institutions learned the hard way: they were fined by EPA for violations. Their penalties included learning the regulations and research well enough to develop workshops and manuals to advise K-12 schools on ways to run squeaky-clean schools. (See related story.)

Manual for art teachers

As part of its settlement, Pratt Institute in Brooklyn prepared a manual for artists and art teachers titled Environmental Health and Safety in the Arts: A Guide for K-12 Schools, Colleges and Artisans.

In 2004, the EPA gave colleges opportunities to self-audit their campuses, attend seminars and correct or disclose problems before being inspected. Both the State University of New York and the City University of New York chose audit agreements.

Since the inspection of some City University colleges, CUNY tripled its health and safety staff, hiring an environmental compliance manager and a health and safety manager. to correct problems. Professional Staff Congress, the NYSUT affiliate at CUNY, monitors cleanup.

New positions have also been created within some SUNY schools, including the Fashion Institute of Technology and SUNY Alfred.

- Liza Frenette