NJ to regulate school floor manufacturers after mercury vapors discovered
Amanda Oglesby
Gym floor and school track manufacturers for schools will face tighter regulations, after the discovery of mercury-tainted fumes closed gymnasiums in districts across the state
This month, the New Jersey Schools Development Authority reported it would, for the first time, require certification from rubberized or urethane floors floor manufacturers that their products do not contain mercury.
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The mercury fumes are given off by certain rubberized or synthetic polyurethane flooring that contain the chemical phenyl mercuric acetate, known as PMA. The chemical, found in gym, cafeteria and multipurpose room floors, as well as indoor and outdoor running tracks, has been used in floors since the 1960s, according to the New Jersey Education Association, the state's largest teacher's union. The chemical breaks down over time and emits mercury fumes, according to the union. The chemical is not found in gym floors made of wood or vinyl tile, according to the NJEA.
"The New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) is committed to building healthy, safe schools in the State of New Jersey and will be imposing a requirement to obtain a certification on future rubberized and/or urethane floors installed on SDA projects," SDA Interim Chief Executive Officer Manuel Da Silva said in a news release.
Da Silver said the new rule is part of an effort by state leaders to "study and address potentially hazardous materials in schools."
Between 2017 and 2019, mercury-tainted flooring closed school gymnasiums in Lacey's Mill Pond School; the Bernice B. Young School in Burlington Township, Burlington County; the Joseph J. Catena School in Freehold Township; and eight schools' gym in the Washington Township Public School District in Gloucester County.
As the flooring breaks down over time, mercury vapor is emitted, particularly if the room is hot, the floor is damaged or deteriorating, or surrounding ventilation is poor, according to the NJEA.
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The mercury vapors are odorless and colorless, making detection possible only with laboratory sampling, according to the NJEA. Long-term exposure can cause tremors, anxiety and irritability, excessive shyness, fatigue, forgetfulness, and changes in hearing and vision, according to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
In pregnant women, mercury exposure can lead to developmental disabilities and cerebral palsy in the infant, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
"Too many schools in New Jersey have rubberized floors that may contain mercury, potentially exposing school staff and children to this neurotoxin," Heather L. Sorge, campaign organizer for the Healthy Schools Now program of the New Jersey Work Environment Council, said in a news release.
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"Testing is needed to rule out the presence of mercury," she added. "We call on ATSDR (the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) to issue a national alert to warn the general public about this health hazard. These affected floors need to be identified, tested, and dealt with in a timely fashion to protect public health."
In 2017, the NJEA, the New Jersey Work Environment Council and Healthy Schools Now Coalition issued an alert to raise awareness about the dangers of these gym floors with local schools. Only 11 districts sought help with mercury testing, according to the NJEA.
Despite the new certification requirement for flooring manufacturers, the New Jersey Work Environment Council and Healthy Schools Now say more needs to be done. They are urging schools to test their polyurethane floors, measure airborne mercury in schools, and when found, to remove mercury-containing floors.
In late June, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the ATSDR and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to evaluate the risk of exposure to mercury from polyurethane floors that contain PMA.
"Our children deserve access to education without risk of toxic exposure, and under no circumstances should the health and safety of our nation's children be jeopardized while they are at school," Booker wrote to the agencies. "School children, faculty and staff, and the public are at risk from this potential hazard."
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Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers Brick, Barnegat and Lacey townships as well as the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than a decade. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.