DHS Chemicals of Interest
MSU research laboratories and other facilities (e.g., farms, pool complexes) using or storing chemicals identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as potential security risks must report this information to EHS.
In the past, EHS mailed Homeland Security surveys to each laboratory, and relied on the timely return of those surveys annually. Now with ChemInventory, EHS can identify DHS Chemicals of Interest in real time, without individual surveys to complete and return. To provide accurate data to the US Department of Homeland Security, it’s important for facilities to keep their ChemInventory lists up to date and accurate.
More information on ChemInventory
Questions
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We don't have a chemical inventory - how do I know if I am DHS compliant?
Over the course of the next year, your Department/MAU will be invited to participate in the new ChemInventory software program. This tool allows facilities to create and maintain chemical inventories that are automatically reviewed for DHS Chemicals of Interest. Participation in ChemInventory will be mandatory for all laboratories by December 2022.
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We have a chemical inventory, but it’s a few years out of date – how do I report DHS Chemicals of Interest?
You will need to update your chemical inventory before uploading it into the ChemInventory software.
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I have a chemical on the DHS Chemicals of Interest list that I no longer need - can I send it away as waste, or do I still have to report it?
Yes, you can send it to EHS as waste, and then do not need to report it on your inventory. In fact, EHS strongly encourages you to take this opportunity to do some "spring cleaning" of your inventory and discard any items that are old, unneeded or in poor condition.
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Will Homeland Security come and take away chemicals if I declare them in ChemInventory and/or report them to EHS?
No, DHS will not come and take your chemicals away; the COI list is not a "prohibition list." The Department of Homeland Security recognizes that these chemicals have legitimate purposes in research and can support valuable advancements in science, medicine and agriculture. The purpose of ChemInventory is to ensure that MSU is taking appropriate measures to secure chemicals that could be used for nefarious purposes.
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EHS called me with questions about my chemicals. Should I be worried?
No, you should not be worried - we probably just need some clarification about your inventory. As part of the university’s reporting requirement, EHS staff will tally the total building amounts from all of ChemInventory across the entire campus community. Occasionally we contact laboratories to clarify quantities or locations to ensure our report to DHS is accurate. Again, Department of Homeland Security is not looking to restrict or seize chemicals on the list, only to understand how they are secured to prevent theft, release or sabotage.