News Release
For Immediate Release: April 29, 2010
Contact Person: Diane Lee, PIO, 301-334-7730
Mercury Exposure Update
Clean Up at Southern High School Nearly Complete
The clean up of mercury at Southern High School is nearing completion, with the school system expecting to re-occupy the building on Monday morning.
With the exception of the auto shop area of the building, mercury has been removed in all areas of the school to below targeted levels set by State and federal officials for the clean-up. This target level was set at 50 times less than the federal regulatory limit for long term workplace exposure. According to Rodney Glotfelty, Garrett County Health Officer, verification of the removal of mercury to these exceptionally low levels provides assurance that children and staff can safely reenter the school environment. The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE), Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Garrett County Health Department (GCHD) are all in agreement that upon receipt of confirmatory laboratory results Thursday morning the school is now ready for resumption of classes and activities.
The automotive shop area is the only part of the school where cleanup continued Thursday but according to an EPA official, cleanup is even progressing well in that area. If targeted levels are not reached by Monday, the area around the auto shop will be isolated and restricted until satisfactory test results indicate the area is safe to reenter.
According to Dr. Wendell Teets, Superintendent of Garrett County Schools, Southern Garrett High School began conducting classes at an alternative site of Garrett 8 Cinemas on Tuesday morning. Modified instruction will continue to occur at this facility through Friday to allow staff enough time to prepare the school for students on Monday.
The Garrett County Health Department began working with the Board of Education Wednesday afternoon when approximately 21 students at Southern High School received primary exposure to mercury through inappropriate handling. MDE and a private contractor arrived Wednesday evening, and Thursday afternoon Region III of the EPA began supervising the mercury cleanup process.
“All students with primary exposure were identified and tested, and if necessary, their clothing and backpacks were removed and handled accordingly Wednesday evening,” Glotfelty said. “There does not appear to be any immediate health concerns associated with this exposure, and we do not anticipate any long-term health issues. To help ease fears, we also offered blood test to those students.”
According to Dr. Teets the school system is currently conducting a thorough investigation of the incident and appropriate actions will be taken.
The primary areas of concern at Southern High School were 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.
Typically, low-level short term 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.