News Release 035

SCIENCE PROJECT ACCIDENT
REQUIRES EMERGENCY RESPONSE, MERCURY CLEANUP AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN ST. PETERS

Volume 36-035

Contact: Larry Archer

(For immediate release)

573-751-3807

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JAN. 18, 2008 -- A broken thermometer in a science project at an elementary school in St. Peters Thursday required an emergency response from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The department's Environmental Emergency Response section was contacted Thursday afternoon by the St. Charles Fire Department reporting a release of mercury at the Mid Rivers Elementary School. A thermometer in a student's science project shattered when it was dropped, releasing several beads of mercury.

Fire officials quarantined the area of the spill. Responders from the EPA and the department's emergency response station in Eureka were dispatched to the scene.

Responders using mercury detection equipment found an 18-square-foot area in a hallway, where the projects were being exhibited, with roughly 600 nanograms of mercury. Safety standards recommend a cleanup of any release in excess of 3,000 nanograms for public buildings or other facilities that people occupy for eight hours per day or more. Responders decided to conduct a cleanup at this site because of the daily presence of children.

A Department of Natural Resources on-scene coordinator was meeting today with the family of the boy involved to make sure none of the mercury was tracked home on his shoes or clothing.

Metallic mercury is liquid at room temperature and has no odor. It was once commonly used in thermometers, barometers, switches and blood-pressure measuring devices.

When spilled, some of the metal will evaporate into the air and can be carried long distances. Mercury is toxic when inhaled. Improper clean up with a vacuum, paintbrush or household cleaner increases exposure by dispersing the mercury into the air.

Short-term exposure to high levels of mercury vapors may cause serious health effects including lung damage, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, as well as increases in blood pressure or heart rate, skin rashes and eye irritation. Symptoms from chronic or long-term exposure can develop in just a few weeks. Tremors, decreased eye-hand coordination, memory problems, insomnia and irritability can develop quickly. If these symptoms are not correctly identified and exposure is not prevented, then permanent nervous system damage can occur. For more information on health risks, contact the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at 573-751-6102.

The Environmental Emergency Response section is called to the scene of more than 300 emergencies each year, including fires, traffic accidents, leaking storage tanks and other incidents that could have a negative environmental impact. The department's 24-hour spill line receives more than 1,600 incident reports annually.

To report an environmental emergency, including fuel spills, please contact the spill line at
573-634-2436. For more information contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources at
800-361-4827 or 573-751-3443, or visit the department's Web page at www.dnr.mo.gov.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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