Classes at the Manila Science High School in Manila remains suspended on Thursday following a reported mercury leak that resulted in the hospitalization of one of its teachers.
The school has been closed since yesterday (Wednesday) although its officials have not made any public statement on this matter.
Johnny Yu of the Manila City Disaster Management and Management Office says, the teacher was cleaning the stock room inside the school’s laboratory, along with other teachers and students, when mercury was accidentally spilled.
Yu laments that it is only this week that the incident is being reported to the Department of Health (DOH), which in turned called the attention of the city government.
The accident happened almost two weeks ago or on March 11, 2017 but it was reported to authorities only on March 21, 2017 or two days ago.
Yu reports, there was “high content of mercury” in the stock room and this prompted in the suspension of classes.
He says, he cannot yet determine when classes will resume and the school may remain close until Friday.
He also reports, the situation is already “under control” and chemical has been placed in a sealed container.
The teachers and students who were cleaning up were reportedly wearing personnel protective equipment.
Mercury is a poisonous chemical and mercury toxicity most commonly affects a victim’s neurologic, gastrointestinal and renal organs.
Manila Science High School is located along Taft Avenue along the corner of Padre Faura Street in Ermita, Manila.