Lead Contamination At Mercer School, Students To Be Tested: Officials

MERCER COUNTY, NJ – High levels of lead were found on the grounds of an intermediate school in Trenton, prompting City officials to jump into action.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found the presence of lead on the grounds of the Ulysses S. Grant Intermediate School in the East Trenton neighborhood, Mayor Reed Gusciora said.

City officials have now closed off all play areas at the school and are planning to test the students.

While the parking lot in the school serves as a cap over any lead-based soils, the EPA readings have caused concern with City officials.

“The readings have caused concern where we're now going to provide remediation,” Gusciora told the community in a message.

“While the remediation does take effect, we're also going to be testing students for lead. It's an opportunity to see if there are lead levels inside in the students themselves.”

The neighborhood used to be an industrial area with a lot of pottery factories.

“Trenton is an old factory town and we have many former pottery factories that have left their footprints in our soil,” Gusciora said.

The issue came to light after the EPA began testing throughout the area where pottery factories used to be located.

Trenton will now be working with the EPA, the State Department of Health and local health departments. Authorities will begin testing students and clean up the neighborhood, Gusciora said.

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