Mill Pond Elementary Gym Being Tested For Mercury

LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - Mill Pond Elementary in Lacey contains trace amounts of mercury in the gym, according to a release from Vanessa Clark, the Lacey Schools Superintendent.

Clark released a letter Friday, October 19 detailing that she was informed that some New Jersey schools with synthetic flooring installed from 1960 to 1980 might contain mercury.

The Lacey school district’s indoor air quality consultant was called into the gym, which had its floor installed in 1980, to run tests, according to Clark. The consultant found that there were trace levels of mercury vapor in the gym, but not enough to be harmful to the students or teachers.

As a precaution, Clark is having the Mill Pond Elementary gym closed until further test can be done, including taking a floor sample, according to the letter from Clark.

"The results of the floor sample may take up to a week thereafter to be reported," Clark said in the letter.

While the gym is closed, students will do physical education in larger classrooms, or outside when the weather is agreeable.

"As soon as more information is available, it will be communicated in a timely manner. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me," Clark said in the letter.

Superintendent Clark can be reached at (609) 971-2000.

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