The number of toxic chemical products used in schools matches that of many industrial settings.  School employees who use these products on a regular basis and staff in the vicinity may be at risk for serious short-term and long-term health problems.

Important facts about chemical exposure in schools:

Custodial and maintenance staff can be exposed to a rich "soup" of different toxic products because their job tasks vary.  On a routine day, a custodian who strips the wax from floors, cleans and sanitizes rest rooms and fumigates for pests could be exposed to 10-20 dangerous chemicals.  Added to that exposure are the paints, solvents and dusts from special projects; poly-chlorinated bi-phenyls (PCBs) from old fluorescent light ballasts and fertilizers/pesticides in outdoor work.

Classroom staff, office workers and food service personnel are often exposed to cleaning compounds, pesticides and construction materials when these products are used during school hours.

Classroom staff who participates in art and science projects may be exposed to irritating and hazardous substances.  There is a federal law that requires that art materials in elementary schools be non-toxic, but old materials that remain on the shelf can still be hazardous.  Of special concern are glues, lead-based paints and glazes (ceramics), and paint removers (solvents).  In science classrooms, chemicals ranging from acids to formaldehyde (for preserved biological specimens) can be dangerous if not used properly.

Dangerous chemicals can also be in products used in every area of the school.  Commercial detergents, oven cleaners and degreasers in food service can be harsh and extremely irritating.  Special education paras and health aides may be exposed to potent disinfectants that are toxic.