Classes at MaSci HS resumes after mercury spill; antidote given to exposed students, staff
Manila Science High School students, faculty, and personnel who might have been exposed to mercury have been given N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antidote for mercury poisoning, to prevent the onset of complications the spilt chemical might cause.
The Manila Health Department (MHD) said the procurement of the P200,000 worth of NAC was ordered by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada “specifically for that incident.” All those who were possibly exposed to the spill were given full 10-day doses of NAC for free.
“This is not the usual medication being stocked by the MHD or any of the city hospital so the mayor ordered the immediate availability of this medication,” MHD head Dr. Benjamin Yson said. “Thankfully, it happened on a Saturday, so there was a limited number of people that were possibly exposed.”
Classes were resumed last Monday after Grade 8 and 9 students underwent blood and urine tests for Complete Blood Count (CBC), Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and liver function tests over the weekend.
Investigation The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) recommended that the concerned school officials be investigated for belatedly reporting the incident to the proper authorities.
MDRRMC head Johnny Yu said that based on the initial investigation, the mercury spill took place on March 11 but it was only reported to the school principal eight days later, on March 19.
“Posibleng may pananagutan ang eskuwelahan once napatunayan na hindi nila pinaalam sa kinauukulan simula n’ung nagkaroon ng spill,” Yu said.
The MDRRMC report recommended the “thorough investigation of school officials, teachers, and students concerned and responders… and make necessary council resolutions and legal actions if necessary to prevent future disasters.”
Yson said there are protocols for reactions or activities that should be imposed for mercury or other hazardous materials spills similar to what happened at MSHS.
He confirmed that the spill took place on March 11 and was immediately “addressed” by one of the MSHS teachers.
“But apparently, what they only did is – they did not allow entry or access to the possibly contaminated area,” Yson clarified.
Up until March 19, the teachers “did not adequately contain” the mercury spill so they informed the principal, Eva Nacion, that same day, said Yson.
The situation, according to Yson, was “addressed” only the next day, March 20.
By March 21, MHD, through its School Health Services and Sanitation Division, Department of Health (DOH), and the East Avenue Medical CenterToxicology Division conducted an investigation of the incident, Yson added.
The actual cleanup, meanwhile, was done by Globecare, an industrial waste disposal specialist.