News Release
For Immediate Release: April 22, 2010; Time: 10:30 am
Contact Person: Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, 301-334-7730
Mercury Exposure Incident At Southern High School
The Garrett County Health Department is working with the Board of Education related to an inadvertent small release of mercury at Southern High School Wednesday afternoon.
Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) has inspected Southern High School and a licensed contractor is cleaning up any mercury residue. Southern High School was closed Thursday and will open when MDE declares that it is safe for staff and students.
Approximately 20 students at Southern High School had primary exposure to mercury through inappropriate handling. If a student reports that they directly handled mercury they should consult a medical professional or call the Garrett County Health Department at 301-334-7700. They should also wash their hands thoroughly, air dry clothes outside for 6-8 hours, and then wash and dry the clothes.
“We worked diligently with the school system yesterday and into the night to identify which students had direct contact with the mercury,” said Health Officer Rodney Glotfelty. “All these students have been tested and, if necessary, decontaminated. There does not appear to be any immediate health concerns associated with this exposure, and we do not anticipate any long-term health issues.”
“We feel confident we have identified all of the students who had primary contact,” Glotfelty said. “But to be sure, it is important that parents question their children carefully to find out if they had contact with the mercury and to contact the Health Department at 301-334-7700 immediately.”
Dr. Wendell Teets, Garrett County Superintendent of Schools, indicated that the school system is currently conducting a thorough investigation of the incident and appropriate actions will be taken.
“I appreciate the cooperation and teamwork of the health department in working with us through this situation,” Dr. Teets said. “With the assistance of MDE and AEG Environmental, our clean up company, we will assure the school will be cleaned and safe for the return to school.”
The primary areas of concern at Southern High School are the boys' restrooms near vo-ag and near the gym, as well as the following teachers' rooms: Mr. Powers, Mr. Bowser, Mrs. Doyle, Mrs. Wilson, and Mr. Biggs. Parents of students who may have been in those areas after 1:00 pm Wednesday are encouraged to place the child's shoes in a garbage bag and drop them off at Southern High School's office as soon as possible. Shoes will be accepted Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to Noon. Bags are to be labeled with name, phone number and address, and shoes will be checked for mercury residue.
Typically, low-level exposure to mercury leads to no lasting health effects and treatment is not needed. A single small exposure is not likely to cause delayed or long-term effects. Mercury does not cause a chemical burn, and washing the exposed skin with soap and water should remove any residual liquid mercury.
Staff from the Health Department and the high school will be available at Southern High School on Thursday and Friday morning to answer questions. For more information call the Health Department at 301-334-7700.