Testing Procedures

  • First, we identified that the rubber-like floor in the elementary school gymnasium/all purpose room (APR) is a similar product described in most reports on the matter and was installed more than 20 years ago (circa 1990), during a time when PMA was used in to cure these floors.

     

    Test bulk samples of the floors

    We engaged Epic Environmental to take full thickness bulk samples on April 17, 2019 and submitted them to EMSL Analytical for analysis. The sampling procedures were performed in accordance with the "Mercury Hazard in Schools from Rubber-like Polyurethane Floors - Health and Safety Guide." Any flooring material containing more than 1 milligram per kilogram (mg/Kg) is to be classified "mercury-containing." The results of our analysis confirmed that we did indeed have mercury-containing floors and the results of this analysis is below. To review this report in its entirety, click EPIC Bulk Floor Sampling - April 17, 2019.

     

    • APR by Exit - 200 mg/Kg
    • APR by Stage - 75 mg/Kg

     

    Measure Airborne Mercury

    Epic Environmental returned to take air samples on May 2, 2019 in the APR and stage. Samples were collected for a period of seven hours and thirty minutes while ventilation operated normally and the room unoccupied. Dampers were set at 20 percent fresh air. Three samples were collected inside the all purpose room, one sample behind the stage curtain and one sample outside the building to establish a baseline and were taken between 7:50 a.m. and 3:27 p.m. The results were compared to the New Jersey Department of Health action limit criteria of 0.8 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3) and concluded that no sample exceeded this limit and can be found below. To review the report in its entirety, click EPIC Mercury Vapor Air Sampling - May 2, 2019.

     

    • APR by Gym Office - 0.45 µg/m3
    • APR by Gym Office - 0.37 µg/m3
    • APR by Stage - 0.57 µg/m3
    • APR behind Curtain - 0.40 µg/m3
    • Outside by APR Exit - 0.11 µg/m3 (none detected)

     

    Measure Airborne Mercury "Worst Case Scenario"

    Epic Environmental returned a third time on July 26, 2019 to assess mercury vapor concentrations in the APR in accordance with Mercury Hazard in Schools from Rubber-like Polyurethane Floors - Health and Safety Guide for "Worst Case Scenario" evaluation. Therefore, the ventilation was not operating for a period of eight hours prior to sampling and during sampling and temperatures were permitted to rise inside the APR. These conditions represent a scenario where maximum levels of mercury vapor are expected to be generated from the rubberized flooring. The room was unoccupied and samples were collected over a period of six hours. Samples were analyzed by EMSL and compared to the New Jersey Department of Health action limit criteria of 0.8 micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3) and concluded that mercury vapor concentrations inside the APR were above the limit and can be found below. To review the report in its entirety, click EPIC Mercury Vapor Air Sampling (Worst Case Scenario) - July 26, 2019.

     

    • APR by Gym Office - 1.0 µg/m3
    • APR by Gym Office - 1.0 µg/m3
    • APR by Stage - 2.0 µg/m3
    • APR behind Curtain - 0.89 µg/m3

     

    Hazardous Waste Classification Sampling

    EPIC Environmental returned on September 12, 2019 to determine if the flooring would be classified as a mercury containing hazardous waste if removed. The subsequent analysis of the sampling predicts how the material would act if in a landfill in order to estimate how much contaminant, if mercury, would leach into the environment. A result of 0.2 mg/L or above is considered failing, meaning the material would be classified as hazardous waste if removed. The results of our sampling determined that the concentration was above the 0.2 mg/L threshold and a summary of the results are below. To review the report in its entirety, click EPIC Hazardous Waste Classification Sampling - September 16, 2019.

     

    • APR by Exit - 2.1 mg/L

     

    Core Samples of Concrete Sub-Floor

    EPIC Environmental performed concrete corings in three locations in the South Harrison Twp. Elementary School All Purpose Room (APR) in an effort to assess whether mercury has leached into the concrete sub floor from the rubberized flooring and, if the concrete would be deemed hazardous waste if removed. Two of the three samples were classified as hazardos while the third was considered non-hazardous. The threshold was 0.2 mg/L and a summary of those results are below. To review the report in its entirety, click EPIC Core Samples of Concrete Sub-Floor - October 23. 2019.

     

    • APR near Stage - o.025 mg/L (Non-Hazardous)
    • APR Center by Wall - 0.29 mg/L (Hazardous)
    • APR near Water Coolers - 1.23 mg/L (Hazardous)

     

     

    EMSC "Second Opinion" Testing & Evaluation

    South Harrison engaged Environmental Management Safety Corporation (EMSC) to conduct review initial reports from EPIC and conduct additional air quality/mercury testing in an effort to obtain a "second opinion" of sorts. Findings from EMSC's December 10, 2019 inspection and air monitoring revealed that initial spot monitoring of airborne mercury levels with the gym ranged between 0.1 and 0.19 µg/m3 with an average of all gym areas of 0.14 µg/m3; below the NJ Department of Health guideline of 0.8 µg/m3. To review the report in its entirety, click EMSC Summary Report - December 23. 2019.

     
If you are having trouble viewing the document, you may download the document.

Helpful Resources

South Harrison Testing Reports