In 2005, the Detroit Public Schools' Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) received a grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Community Pollution Prevention (P2) Grant Program. The goal of this grant was to develop and implement a chemical inventory and electronic-chemical management plan (e-chemical management plan) that would effectively and efficiently reduce the amount of unused and outdated chemicals identified throughout the school district.

The purpose for the reduction of hazardous chemicals is to reduce the risk of danger to human health and the environment. Through this program, EHS developed an inventory of chemicals to establish a performance-based and user-friendly system to be used by instructional and support staff, as well as, outside contractors and emergency response agencies that work in and protect schools within the District.

Initially, a detailed chemical inventory was conducted at three high schools. The intent of this program is to eventually have all operating schools included in the e-chemical management plan. This state-of the art plan will allow for the immediate identification of all chemicals within the District and provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) at the touch of a button.