By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor

Earlier today, the Pennsauken School District sent students home with a letter stating the rubberized gym mats in several schools were proactively tested to identify if they had unsafe levels of Mercury.

“In an effort to comply with the standards of Mercury airborne exposure levels of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), which is a widely used secondary testing standard, Pennsauken School District, as a precautionary measure, is taking an extremely proactive approach to investigating the levels of Mercury in rubberized gym floors,” said Dr. Ronnie Tarchichi, superintendent, Pennsauken School District, in his letter to parents and guardians. “The Pennsauken School District will take every precaution to keep our students, staff members, and stakeholders safe.”

Based on preliminary, independent testing by a certified industrial hygienist, the District reported that gym mats at Pennsauken High School, Pennsauken Intermediate School, and both Delair and Fine Elementary Schools had Mercury levels well below acceptable thresholds. No other schools in the District were affected.

A copy of the letter sent out regarding this matter is below.