This is not original reporting. All information has been compiled from articles in The Washington Post.
On Wednesday, Feb. 23, Cardoza Senior High School in Washington D.C. was evacuated after health officials discovered droplets of mercury in three places throughout the building. The school was expected to remain closed for at least a week so that a thorough cleaning could take place. After the school reopened, it was closed again after more mercury was found.
Administrators at Cardoza believe that the student responsible for the mercury must have been pulling a prank when he or she brought the mercury to school. According to Cardoza principal Reginald Ballard Jr., all mercury was removed from the science labs in the school after a similar incident occurred at Ballou High School in fall of 2003. After the mercury was found, over 600 students were tested for the presence of mercury on their clothing. Of all students tested, seven had mercury on their shoes, clothes and hands. Those students had to remove their shoes and clothing before being released. The mercury did not pose any severe health threats.
According to D.C. Health Director Gregg A. Pane, there were two ounces of mercury found in Cardoza. Tests performed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that the concentration of mercury was 10 times as high as acceptable levels.
Cardoza reopened on Feb. 28, after the EPA conducted a $125,000 clean up that lasted four days. However, the school quickly closed again after more mercury was discovered on March 2. Authorities found droplets of mercury in a stairwell, and after screening hundreds of students, 88 students and staff members had mercury contamination on their clothing and shoes. The victims did not suffer any severe health effects. Officials are unsure about the source of the second mercury spill.
The school remained closed after the second mercury discovery because more mercury was discovered for a third time on March 6. An additional 12 to 15 droplets of mercury were found in Cardoza's basement. The D.C. Health Department had already declared Cardoza safe for students to return when the custodial crew discovered the "BB-sized" droplets. Alan Etter, a spokesman for the D.C. fire department, said it is a mystery where the mercury came from since the school had been closed for days. School officials are now making up plans for students to make up lost class time.
A hidden surveillance camera recorded three students working together to spread the mercury throughout the building. The police were able to identify two of the suspects and they are aiming to identify the third. On Feb. 26, a 16-year-old student believed to be responsible for the first mercury spill was arrested and charged as a juvenile with improper disposal of hazardous waste. Two days later, a 15-year old boy was also arrested for the initial contamination of Cardoza. According to police sources, when detectives questioned the boy, he said he obtained the mercury from Cardoza's science lab.
Longtime exposure to mercury can pose grave health threats. The mercury vapors can cause cancer, damage to the kidneys, brain, and other organs. According to the Center for Environmental Health, mercury contamination can cause neurological damage as well.
Kelly Ferguson. Kelly Ferguson has survived three long years in the Communication Arts Program and is excited to finally be a senior. She was born on April 9, 1987 and has lived in Silver Spring, MD her entire life. She has one sister named Korie who is … More »
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