INFORM, a nonprofit environmental research organization founded in 1974, is working directly with schools,
government agencies, and health care facilities to minimize the purchase of products that contain mercury,
lead, dioxin, and other persistent, bioaccumulative toxic chemicals (PBTs). Many products used by schools, colleges, and universities contain PBTs, or can generate or release PBTs into the environment when they are manufactured, used, discarded, incinerated, or recycled. Fortunately, environmentally preferable alternatives are often available. These products may not be unique to schools, but purchasers in educational facilities, research institutions, or agencies that deal with children typically purchase them in large quantities.