By AP/KWMU
Springfield, Ill. – The Illinois Emergency Management Agency has agreed to collect unused radioactive materials that are currently stored on shelves and in closets of middle and high schools.
IEMA Director William Burke says most of the material poses little hazard to students or faculty when stored properly, but he adds there is some risk if they are misplaced or handled carelessly.
The state agency contacted all middle and high schools at the start of the school year to inform them of the program.
Most of the radioactive material was used in high school chemistry or physics classes. Schools won't have to pay to have the items picked up.
Officials also say it would cost roughly $1,000 a school for a district to contract with a commercial low-level radioactive waste broker for disposing the material.