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Mercury Spill Contained, cleanup still to be completed at Sabetha High School

By Greg Bebermeyer

08/01/2025

(KNZA)--Sabetha High School has NOT yet been deemed safe following the a mercury spill at the school Thursday afternoon.

According to a social media post by the Sabetha Fire Department, construction workers accidentally broke a large barometer in the science room at the school causing the spill.

Besides the Sabetha Fire Department responding to the school were the Sabetha EMS, Nemaha County Emergency Management, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and EPA.

Interin City Fire Chief, Gary Elliott stated that "The EPA was able to determine that the spill was contained to a closet in the High School." and that "the EPA, the Sabetha Schools and the Nemaha County Emergency Management are now working together to find someone with the ability to clean up the spill."

The Fire Department said "while the response to the school may have seemed excessive, it was in fact, the appropriate protocol for such an incident."

The Department said the barometer that broke was an old model, which contained up to one pound of mercury.

The release said while that may not sound like a lot , it is several lethal doses worth and negative effects can begin at far less than a lethal exposure.

Mercury is heavier than water, making it difficult to clean. It is a neurotoxin, which can cause many harmful effects to the brain and nervous system.

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