By Christian Bell

News Editor

Workers in protective suits are set to converge on Calvin's campus next Wednesday, not because of Anthrax scares, but because of a routine hazardous waste disposal pickup.

``In light of September 11, anthrax scares and Calvin's recent bomb threat, the college is letting people know about this ahead of time so that the actions on the 14th do not cause undue concern,'' said Phil DeHaan, director of Media Relations.

The workers, who will be wearing white protective suits, gloves, and boots, will go around to the Science Building, DeVries Hall, the Physical Plant building and the Spoelhof Center to collect hazardous waste that has accumulated recently. They will load it into trucks where the material will be taken to an off-site disposal location.

``We do it every 6 months,'' explained Jennifer Ambrose, Environmental Health and Safety Officer. ``It's all the wate from all the departments, such as Physical Plant, the Art Department and Chemical Engineering.''

The Michigan Department of Enviromental Quality regulates how frequently hazardous waste facilities need to be cleaned.

``We're what the DEQ classifies as a small quantity generator,'' Ambrose said. ``We need to have [the waste] removed every 180 days.''

The disposal and treatment is being handled by Drug and Laboratory Disposal, Inc.

``We send out bids, but we use [DLD] the most often,'' Ambrose said. ``We've had a good relationship with them.''

According to the company's website, ``All employees of DLD receive applicable training required under EPA, DOT and OSHA, including OSHA's hazard communications standard and hazardous waste operations training, EPA's personnel training and DOT's hazardous materials training.''

The disposal, which is expected to take most of the day, should not interfere with any classes, apart from the possible distraction of workers walking around in chemical protection suits.