Two Year Five pupils were quarantined today after they came into contact with mercury when a thermometer fell and broke at the science laboratory of Sekolah Kebangsaan Pokok Sena in Kepala Batas.

The pupils claimed to have touched the chemical element and were sent to the Kepala Batas Hospital.

The mercury that had spilled onto the floor was noticed by a laboratory assistant, said Zulkhuari Abdul Rahman, operations commander of the Hazardous Materials Unit that came to the school upon being notified.

He said the laboratory and nearby classrooms were vacated to enable the team to clean up.

- Bernama