Mercury Investigation At Northport MS In 'Early Stages': Firm

NORTHPORT, NY — The Northport community is watching as Northport Middle School is being tested for mercury contamination.

Some parents have staged multiple "Sick Out" rallies, keeping their children home from school, while Robert L. Banzer, superintendent of schools, told parents that results of a test conducted by environmental firm PW Grosser Consulting didn't turn up any detectable levels of mercury vapor in certain classrooms. Paul Boyce, president of PWGC, told Patch the environmental firm is in the "early stages" of an investigation after elevated levels of mercury were found in a cesspool outside the school 10 feet from the building.

Boyce said the test that yielded negative results of mercury air vapor in the three classrooms, science prep room and hallway were not "completely exhaustive," and that PWGC did not sample air in every square inch of the building.

The follow-up testing comes after a mercury level of 632 ppm was found in the cesspool outside the school, more than 170-times the actionable level of 3.7 ppm. Boyce confirmed the numbers and said the company immediately screened the classrooms hooked up to the cesspool once it heard about the high mercury levels in the leaching pool. The sinks in the three classrooms discharge to the cesspool.

Boyce said PWGC "absolutely" plans to do more comprehensive testing at Northport Middle School and started taking samples on Saturday. Lab results are expected sometime next week.

He added the firm is conducting an ongoing environmental investigation and assessment.

"With respect to mercury vapors, we haven’t seen any," Boyce said. "But I don’t want to deem the school safe or unsafe until we’ve completed our investigation. If we do find something as we go through the investigation that is unsafe, we’re going to alert everybody."

Boyce said there are a couple of factors in determining the threat the mercury poses. The first is the vapor exposure route, which is combated by a couple of traps: a P-trap outside the building and sink traps inside, which Boyce likened to a belt and suspenders. Vapor traveling up out of the cesspool through the plumbing has to pass through the traps, he explained.

"As long as those traps are full of water and working properly, it should mitigate vapor intrusion that way," he said.

The other way is if somebody opened the top of the cesspool and found mercury vapors. None were found Saturday when the firm opened the top of the pool. A handheld meter was used to test the vapors. The company also took absorbent samples, the results of which should come in five to 10 business days along with the rest of the sampling.

"With all of the screening we’ve done so far, we haven’t found any mercury vapors that would warrant concern," Boyce said.

The firm said there's a lot more sampling to go, however. Indoor air mold sampling was done last weekend. Swab-type samples were also taken. Boyce said there are still a lot of things that need to be done and evaluated before PWGC makes any type of determinations.

Banzer wrote in his Thursday letter that PWGC is working on a remediation plan which will involve the Suffolk County Department of Health Services.

Some concerned parents aren't willing to wait. Over 100 students were reported absent from school on Monday after a "Sick Out" was staged, according to Close Northport Middle School Long Island, New York, a Facebook page with the goal of educating the community about the potential health risks at the school.

"It is irrefutable that this property is contaminated and is in need of a remediation investigation and feasibility study," the group said in a statement to Patch.

It noted that PWGC is currently testing the school, and called the 632 ppm of mercury found in the cesspool "astonishing."

"It is naive to just assume that nothing else will be found," the group said.

It suggested the students should be relocated until testing on the property is finished and the school has undergone remediation and a feasibility study. Close Northport Middle School said it is "the only responsible decision," and that it can only be made by Banzer.

"It is unfortunate that despite desperate pleas to the superintendent from hundreds of members of the community, we have had to continue this fight," the group wrote. "We will continue to advocate for those who have become sick or lost their lives as a result of this continuing tragedy, and those who wish to see a bright and shining future for the children they love beyond all measure."

Banzer wrote in a letter to parents Tuesday confirming a "special Board of Education workshop" for Wednesday at 8:45 p.m. at the William J. Brosnan Building to discuss a possible relocation plan should the school need to be vacated. The community is invited to attend, but there will be no public comment on the agenda. The presentation is for informational purposes only, Banzer said, and no Board action will be taken.

The framework used to develop contingency plans has been guided by these four goals:

• Minimize disruption to students, staff and families
• Keep students with their current teachers, to the best extent possible
• Keep students with their grade-level peers, to the best extent possible
• Minimize disruption to the instructional program

Banzer said he met with the United Teachers of Northport Executive Board, the Northport Middle School teachers and administration, the PTA Presidents’ Council, Special Education PTA and Gifted & Talented PTA.

"Teachers and parents posed questions and provided valuable feedback about the current situation at Northport Middle School, and the options under consideration," Banzer said. "Their perspectives as parents and teachers are an important part of this planning, and they are directly aware of the impact this situation is having on our students, staff and families."

Banzer said additional soil samples taken by PWGC were delivered to a certified lab and are being further analyzed in order to inform the final remediation plan. A copy of PWGC's presentation can be found here.

"I want to thank you for your continued attention to this matter," Banzer wrote. "I am keenly aware that there are different perspectives on this issue and I truly believe that everyone wants what is best for students, staff and the school community."