Cause Of Mercury Spill At Hand High School Revealed: UPDATE

UPDATE from Madison Schools Chief Thomas Scarice:

As stated earlier, Daniel Hand High School students will resume regularly scheduled classes tomorrow morning. We have been assured by the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Town of Madison Health Department, and our environmental consultant, that we may proceed with a normal school day Friday, October 27th.

Our Arts program uses a kiln in ceramics classes. If you are unfamiliar, a kiln is a heating chamber that transforms and hardens materials at high temperatures, such as ceramic bodies. A relay switch on the kiln malfunctioned. Mercury was present in this switch and a minimal amount dripped inside the panel of the kiln. The mercury was contained to the space inside the panel of the kiln. The kiln is stored inside a closet.

A minor clean up effort was performed, the air quality was tested by CT DEEP, and the school was deemed safe for occupancy. The early dismissal today served as a precaution and was solely for the purposes of ensuring the safety of our students while CT DEEP performed their work. The safety of our students is our highest priority and necessary precautions were taken today to ensure safety.

MADISON, CT — Daniel Hand High School students will resume regularly scheduled classes Friday after they were dismissed early on Thursday due to a mercury spill at the school, said Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice.

"In cooperation with the State of Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), the Town of Madison Health Department, and our environmental consultant, we have been informed that may conduct a regular school day tomorrow," Scarice said.

"A second message will be forthcoming this evening with additional information, however, in order to give parents and students ample notice regarding school tomorrow, this message was sent in advance. The safety of our students is our highest priority and necessary precautions were taken today," Scarice added.

MADISON, CT — A mercury spill at Daniel Hand High School Thursday has led to an early dismissal, school officials said.

"FYI. We were made aware moments ago of a malfunction of a relay switch on a kiln at Daniel Hand High School that led to mercury spill. It was contained to this one area and the room was closed off. As a precaution, we were advised by CT DEEP and our environmental cleanup consultant to dismiss the high school early. We anticipate student dismissal at 11:45 a.m.," school officials said.