Allied Environmental Services, Inc. Responds to Mercury Spilled by Student on Lincolnview Bus
BY KIRK DOUGAL
Van Wert Times Bulletin - 4/16/2010

MIDDLE POINT, OH - A potentially hazardous material was released on a Lincolnview Local Schools bus on Wednesday by an elementary student. 

Superintendent Doug Fries that an elementary student brought a container, which held a small amount of mercury, to school without realizing the danger it posed. School staff were unaware of mercury's presence as it remained in the container in a classroom throughout the day.

The container was opened on the bus on the way home in the afternoon and the mercury was then handled by some of the students. Once the incident was discovered, the bus was immediately isolated and parents notified while the proper authorities were called in to handle the situation.

Van Wert County EMA, the Van Wert County Health Department, the Ohio EPA and the U.S. EPA all responded to the call for help.

"We brought in the appropriate environmental groups [Allied Environmental Services, Inc.] to come in and work with the EPA to make sure that we are doing everything correctly," said Fries.

Jason Menchhofer of the Van Wert County Health Department, along with other officials, screened all of the students who had been on the bus. The clothing worn by the students was also examined and some did show contamination and was taken to be destroyed. All of the involved students were cleared to return to school.

The bus has been removed from active use until the seats have been replaced and the bus cleaned by an environmental waste company [Allied Environmental Services, Inc.]. The classroom where the mercury sat throughout the day has been closed until the health and environmental officials clear it for use.

Mercury is one of the four metallic chemical elements that is a liquid at room temperature. Because of its high toxicity, the element has been phased out of use in items such as thermometers although it is still used in fluorescent light bulbs. Mercury poisoning can cause damage to the brain, kidney and lungs as well as shown links to some chronic diseases.

Fries said he wanted all the parents in the school district to understand that as soon as the administration was aware of the event, the proper health and environmental officials were called to see to the welfare of the students. In addition, a letter was sent home with all the students on Thursday to explain the situation to the parents. However, he encouraged any parents who had questions to please contact the school or health department. 

For additional information on this mercury spill and emergency spill response action, please visit EPA On Scene Coordinator Website.