Schools
Mercury Forces Freehold Twp School To Close Gym: Report
The issue was first discovered in mid-September, according to the report.
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ — The gymnasium at Freehold Township's Joseph J. Catena Elementary School has been shut down after tests found mercury in the gym floor, according to a report.
The issue was discovered during testing in mid-September, and follow-up testing that showed mercury vapors prompted the closure, the Asbury Park Press reported.
A letter was sent home to parents and guardians of children in the school, the report said.
Find out what's happening in Freeholdfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Inhaling mercury vapor over a prolonged period cau affect the lungs and also can have "neurobehavioral effects, including mood changes and tremors," according to the Centers for Disease Control. Chronic exposure can also cause hypertension and autonomic nervous system dysfunction, the CDC says.
Find out what's happening in Freeholdfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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