I believe that this was passed along by ACS Member Services, ACS Membership & Scientific Advancement. Mr. Schoonveld is not on the DCHAS-L list, so replies sent directly to him are preferred. I will pass along any list traffic to him as well. - Ralph From: rpschoon**At_Symbol_Here**hotmail.com Subject: division of chemical safety/ mercury question Date: November 8, 2007 8:10:31 AM EST Hello- I would like to ask your help on something (perhaps this is a question for your division of chem. safety- it came highly recommended): There is a hypothetical new science teacher who, two summers ago, began cleaning out his classroom and chemical closet. The previous teacher had been there 38 years in the same room. The young teacher discovered approx. 50 mercury thermometers in the cleaning process. With numerous other chemicals, both known and unknown, the district paid to remove them at a cost of several thousand dollars. As, the young teacher began working with alcohol thermometers he had ordered in, he realized how easily they break (both he and the students). He wondered "if I broke all these thermometers my first few months of science teaching, how many mercury thermometers had the old teacher and students broken over 38 years?" Specifically, "how much mercury is still remaining throughout the classroom and how safe am I and the students?" As an aside, numerous jars of animals "pickled" in formalin were discovered. The formalin had been escaping from the jars into the classroom over the years. Most were no longer full, half full, or completely dried up (the smell of "rot" had been reported in this classroom and a neighboring one over the years). The young teacher is not tenured, realizes the potential politics involved in pursuing the matter (although he has emailed the district several times over the months about the potential problem without action).... Yet, his overall safety and that of the students cannot be ignored. 1. Do you have any information on mercury for this hypothetical teacher AND some to pass on to his principle? 2. A penny for your thoughts to this young teacher in need of wisdom?! Thank you for your time! Rob Schoonveld
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