Officials Follow Correct Protocol After Minor Mercury Spill at Pomperaug High School

School officials at Pomperaug High School followed protocol after mercury spilled from a broken thermometer on Monday, the Republican-American reports.

According to the paper, the school was evacuated until representatives from the Department of Energy and Environmental gave permission for staff and students to return. The student who brought the thermometer to the school was taken to the hospital for treatment.

According to DEEP protocol, in the case of a mercury spill schools must contain the contaminated area as well as contaminated items. All interior doors must be closed while exterior doors should remain open to ventilate and heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems should be turned off.

Superintendent of schools Regina Botsford told the paper DEEP responders cleaned the classroom and permitted students to return to other classrooms.

Read the full story at the Republican-American.

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