Liquid Mercury Leak During Middle School Science Experiment, Students and Teacher Evacuate Urgently

The science lab under lockdown. [Image source=Busan Police Agency]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] At a middle school in Busan, liquid mercury leaked during a science experiment, causing all students and teachers to evacuate.

According to the Sasang Police Station in Busan, at around 11:34 a.m. on the 4th, approximately 10 ml of liquid mercury leaked from a mercury barometer during a science class at a middle school in Sasang-gu.

Two teachers and five students complained of headaches and were transported to the hospital. As a precaution, three supervising teachers and 32 students who were in the class at the time are scheduled to undergo hospital examinations.

The science lab where the mercury leaked will undergo decontamination work commissioned to the Nakdong River Basin Environmental Office's Environmental Technology Research Institute, and the lab has been closed until the decontamination is completed.

A police official stated, "It is believed that some liquid mercury leaked during the process of moving the mercury barometer," adding, "We will inspect the barometer's aging condition and defects, as well as the school's management practices."

Mercury is the only white metal that is liquid at room temperature, and if released into the atmosphere and directly affects the human body, it can cause poisoning such as cognitive and motor function impairments.

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