Officials investigate mercury spill at Chesterfield County high school

MCBEE, S.C. — A room at a Chesterfield County high school is closed Friday after a student brought in a vial of mercury and accidentally spilled it.

School officials said the spill happened Thursday in the band room at McBee High School around dismissal time.

Officials said they contacted the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control about the incident and that a team from the Environmental Protection Agency was sent to the school to assist with clean up and to check air quality.

The school will run on a regular schedule Friday, according to officials, but the band room will remain closed until it’s safe to enter. Channel 9 was told that the door to the room is currently wrapped in plastic.

School officials said it’s not clear why the student was carrying mercury, but noted that it was a small amount.

Officials from the DHEC and EPA are expected to return to clear the school, but no timeframe has been specified.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

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