Vernal school evacuated after mercury is found

Students got a couple of unexpected days off after Vernal Middle School had to be evacuated when a small amount of mercury was found spilled in the parking lot. But health experts say the level of exposure and subsequent health risk is small. And school officials say students will be back in their classes next week.

"They weren't back today, but we just got the go-ahead and they'll be back for sure Monday," a Uintah School District administrator said Friday afternoon.

The spill, discovered in the middle school parking lot Thursday morning, brought TriCounty Health Department, Uintah Basin school officials and Environmental Protection Agency staff together to see that it was all located and cleaned up according to protocols set out in the "U.S. Mercury Response Guidebook."

A puddle equal to two or three tablespoons of mercury was found spilled in the parking lot Thursday morning, and the health department's hazmat crew was immediately sent out. The EPA brought air monitoring equipment and a cleanup crew Thursday evening. In the meantime, the Utah Department of Environmental Quality provided an air monitor, and the school district sent the students and staff home for the day.

"After a thorough investigation by the TriCounty Health Department Hazmat Team and the Environmental Protection Agency, it has been determined that the levels of an elemental mercury exposure in the Vernal Middle School was extremely minimal," TriCounty health director Joseph B. Shaffer said in a written statement Friday.

Mercury can be found in thermometers, barometers, thermostats and electrical switches. It's also commonly found in devices in school science labs, the health department said.

Any spilled mercury creates an uproar because of proven negative health effects from either chronic or one-time exposure. Most of the danger comes from inhaling mercury, although eating or absorbing it through skin also can cause problems, according to the mercury guidebook. But TriCounty health officials say high levels of mercury vapor can affect the brain and central nervous system and may cause irritation to the mouth, lungs and airways, increased blood pressure and pulse rate, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and skin rashes, among other things.

Even very small amounts of mercury can evaporate slowly over time, elevating the concentration of mercury in the air and leading to chronic exposure, with possible serious long-term effects.