Overview
- Children found small vials of liquid mercury at the Cunnamulla refuse tip and brought them to Cunnamulla State School, prompting an emergency response on Monday.
- Queensland Fire and Emergency Services sent scientific officers to carry out atmospheric monitoring and site testing at the school, the tip, residences, a service station and the hospital waiting room.
- Specialist hazmat equipment arrived late Tuesday and crews say assessment and decontamination could take several days with the state school to remain closed until at least Thursday.
- Multiple people, including children, presented to the local hospital for baseline checks and tests but there have been no admissions and no one has reported symptoms so far.
- Officials are treating the discovery as possible illegal dumping of medical waste and Queensland Police are expected to investigate while residents follow public health advice to isolate contaminated clothing and wait for clearance.