Kansas City, MO 1/28/2004

The Kansas City Star

Mercury spill at school cancels derby race

By RICHARD ESPINOZA
Wednesday, January 28, 2004

A mercury spill at a Cub Scout pinewood derby practice forced the evacuation of a Lawrence school Friday night.

No one was hurt, but the derby was canceled and a hazardous-materials team had to clean the spill at Quail Run School, 1130 Inverness Drive.The toxic liquid metal was in a small wooden car that a Cub Scout entered in the derby.

Organizers canceled the race, which was scheduled for Saturday, after the mercury spilled about 8:25 p.m. Friday in a practice run.The Heart of America Council will pick up the cleanup bill, which will probably be about $5,000, said cubmaster Bruce Eggers of Pack 3072 in Lawrence. He said he did not know whether the organization would ask for payment from the family of the boy who had mercury in his car.

Firefighters from Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical contained the mercury until a hazardous-materials team cleaned it up. The cause of the spill surprised them."All of us were trying to find out how you get a mercury spill at the school at 8 o'clock at night," Division Chief Rob Kort said. "Now we know. We never would've guessed it in a million years."The rules for many derbies prohibit mercury, which some people use to add weight to the gravity-driven wooden cars.

Other weights, such as solid metals, are usually allowed.The derby in Lawrence banned liquid weights, but the rules did not specifically mention mercury. Eggers said the pack will consider clarifying the ban.

Mercury can permanently damage the brain, lungs and kidneys. It also can affect the central nervous system and eyes.To reach Richard Espinoza, call (816) 234-7714 or send e-mail torespinoza@kcstar.com.