Priority IAQ
Concern
Health Effects and Potential
Exposure Locations
IAQ Considerations After the Building Upgrade
Mercury Health Effects
System and Building Operations
Mercury is a neurotoxic substance
that can produce a wide range of
health effects in children depend
ing on the amount and timing of
exposure. Elemental (metallic)
mercury primarily causes health
effects when it is inhaled as a va
por and absorbed into the lungs.
Potential Exposure Locations
Mercury is used in many items
found in schools, such as ther
mometers, barometers, switches,
thermostats, flow meters, fluores
cent lighting and compact fluo
rescent light bulbs, and laboratory
reagents in chemistry and science
laboratories. Two major causes
of mercury releases and spills at
schools are improper storage and
mishandling of these items, which
can result in the release of mercu
ry via breakage or spillage.
Further Reading
Priority Issue 21.0 Building
Safety for Children and Other
Occupants
Ensure that the school has a mercury spill response plan. Properly dis
pose of fluorescent lighting and compact fluorescent light bulbs.
Administrator and Staff Education
Ensure that teachers, administrators and maintenance staff know how
to properly store and handle mercury compounds and mercury-
containing equipment and components.
Student Education Opportunities for Teachers
Educate students about the potential health hazards of mercury. See
EPA's Mercury: An Educator's Toolkit Web page.
Energy Savings Plus Health | INDOOR AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL BUILDING UPGRADES
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