Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor

Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary

For Immediate Release 

May 16, 2001 

Contact: Mike Heideman, 785-296-5795

University of Kansas Agrees to Perform Environmental Projects

The University of Kansas has entered into a consent agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment which will obligate the university to perform environmental projects which will likely cost about $115,900. K.U. entered the agreement in lieu of paying a $32,525 civil penalty for violations of hazardous waste standards as documented in a January 14, 2000 state inspection.

The university has agreed to:

• Review and evaluate all locations on campus which are known to generate hazardous waste and search for possible additional locations. K.U. will hire a hazardous waste materials manager to perform this project.
• Develop and implement a Web-based training program for on-campus hazardous waste generators.
• Purchase and install state-of-the-art spray paint gun cleaning equipment at five locations on campus to reduce waste paint and solvents.
• Purchase a direct-reading mercury vapor analysis device to better ensure effective cleanup of on-campus mercury spills.
• Reduce the inventory of metallic mercury in a K.U. Department of Chemistry storeroom.
• Purchase software to facilitate energy conservation and reduce resource consumption.
• Remove incandescent lighting from the first, second and third floor corridors in Wescoe Hall and replace with energy efficient fluorescent lighting.