On September 21, 2009, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Emergency Response program was notified by Springfield Public Schools of a broken thermometer in a classroom at Sequiota Elementary. School officials became aware of the incident when a student found a small bead of mercury on the tile floor this morning. It was then discovered by school officials that the thermometer was broken on Friday, September 18, 2009, when it was dropped on the floor. After the mercury was discovered on September 21, 2009, students were removed from the room and the room was isolated. It was reported that school officials used decontamination wipes on student's shoes as they were removed from the room. Decon materials have all been bagged and left in the room.
MDNR responded to the scene. The school district hired Sunbelt Environmental to perform cleanup actions.
MDNR requested EPA's assistance with screening utilizing the Lumex for clean-up levels.
EPA responded on September 22, 2009.
