Update on Pipkin & next steps for removing mercury in our schools

The presence of mercury in our classrooms and buildings is a very serious issue. We have made a concerted effort for the past three years to remove from our schools thermometers and other once-common devices containing mercury.

Last month when a broken thermometer caused a small mercury spill at Sequiota Elementary School, we reinforced with school staff the importance of removing these items from our buildings and reminded them of proper disposal procedures.

A recent incident at Pipkin Middle School was an unfortunate accident that occurred as part of that process. A teacher had identified an instrument containing mercury and was taking steps to have it removed from the building.

I want to take a moment to tell you about the next steps in the process. At each school building, administrative staff will inspect every room to identify and document all instruments containing mercury and then provide a list of identified items to the science curriculum supervisor and environmental safety manager, who will supervise the packing, removal and disposal of those items.

Thermometers, barometers and other instruments are important classroom tools, and many of us can recall a time when those containing mercury were present in our classes. Over the years, however, we’ve learned much more about just what a serious health threat mercury can be.

Mercury exposure can lead to neurological and developmental disorders in people of all ages. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has much more information about mercury’s impacts on our health, and I encourage you to take a moment to review this information at the following link: http://www.dnr.mo.gov/env/mercury.htm.

If you are concerned about potential exposure to mercury, contact the state Bureau of Environmental Epidemiology at 573-751-6102 or your personal physician for more information.

I would also encourage everyone to take stock of whatever items you have in your home that might contain mercury and follow the necessary steps to remove it. This page on the Environmental Protection Agency’s web site has more information for parents.

The Department of Natural Resources is now cleaning up the mercury spill at Pipkin, as well as the Employee Services Center and Doling Building. We hope to have Pipkin open for classes on Monday; however, an alternative location will be used if we are still unable to have classes at Pipkin on Monday. SPS will notify Pipkin families and staff on Sunday, Oct. 18, via the AlertNow telephone information system.