The city government of Manila suspended the classes at the Manila Science High School on Taft Avenue after a mercury spill inside its science laboratory.
Manila City Health Office chief Dr. Benjamin Yson said the spill happened as two teachers and two students were cleaning the science laboratory’s stockroom last Saturday, March 11.
“Nilalabas nila ‘yung mga gamit, and in the process, nabasag ‘yung tube containing the mercury,” he said.
It was not until March 21 that the incident was reported, after one of the teachers started feeling tremors and weakness.
The cleaning up in the area is now ongoing.
Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head Johnny Yu said an investigation will be conducted to determine if the school has a liability in the incident.
“We are trying to collect all the reports today and we are hoping to give Mayor (Joseph Estrada) recommendations tomorrow,” he said.
Yson said classes will resume on Monday.
Manila Science High School officials declined to give a statement on the spill. (Jaimie Rose R. Aberia)
