It was recently found that two "rubberized" sport floors within the Columbus Recreation & Parks Department (Ohio) have elevated levels of mercury vapors, according to ABC 6. The flooring was originally installed in the 1970s and had since been covered with hardwood flooring.
The elevated mercury levels were found at both the Marion-Franklin and the Far East recreation centers. A park director for the city hired an environmental engineer to test the floors after hearing of similar cases at other Ohio schools.
The gyms were closed on Wednesday but the rec centers remain open under assurance from the City of Columbus that they are safe. ABC 6 reported that the city will spend more than a half-million dollars over the next four to six months to replace both gym floors.
In 2010, an Ohio sports flooring company and a school district battled over whether prior disclosure of mercury vapors was provided before a wood flooring renovation began.
