Florida

University of Florida Spending $800K to Remove Mercury From Sports Arena

The University of Florida is removing mercury from the main floor of its basketball arena.

The dangerous substance was included as an additive in concrete 35 years ago when the O'Connell Center was constructed on campus.

The school is spending more than $800,000 to remove the mercy, which can be toxic if consumed or breathed in.

The main concern is that the substance will be airborne when workers dig up the floor. Crews have completely sealed the interior of the arena with plastic tarps, and the toxic materials are being sucked out through giant tubes through a filtration system.

The Gainesville Sun reports that the mercury removal is preparation for a larger renovation of the arena.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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