Press Statement

Gov. Signs Bill Requiring Mercury-Free Flooring in Schools and Childcare Centers

Today, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed S1370/A1514 which requires new flooring for schools, community centers, and childcare centers to be certified mercury-free. In the 1960s a number of companies began manufacturing and installing a thin layer of synthetic, polyurethane flooring on top of concrete sub-floors, to provide a resilient and rubberized surface. Certain formulations of polyurethane incorporated a mercury catalyst, such as phenylmercuric acetate (PMA), to produce a solid seamless rubber-like floor. Mercury-containing polyurethane floors were widely installed in school gymnasiums across the United States. These floors may have been manufactured as late as 2005 and installed as late as 2006 (Washington Twp., NJ).

Over time, these floors may break down and release odorless, colorless mercury vapor. Since mercury vapor is invisible and odorless, it can go undetected without clear standards and testing. Mercury exposure is a serious public health concern—especially for young children and fetuses whose bodies are still developing.

The New Jersey Work Environment Council, New Jersey Education Association and Healthy Schools Now have been tireless advocates urging State agencies to identify mercury-containing floors, remediate hazardous conditions, and ban installation of floors containing PMA.

Statement from Debra Coyle, Executive Director, NJ Work Environment Council:

We commend Governor Mikie Sherrill for signing this critical legislation to protect children, families, and educators from dangerous mercury exposure in schools, childcare centers, and community facilities across New Jersey.

By strengthening safeguards around mercury-containing flooring materials, this law takes an important step toward ensuring healthier indoor environments for the places where children learn, play, and grow. The bill’s requirements for testing, transparency, remediation, and safe disposal reflect a strong commitment to public health, environmental safety, and accountability.

We applaud Governor Sherrill and thank the legislative sponsors Senator Lagana and Assemblyman Calabrese for their leadership.

Statement from Steve Beatty, President, NJEA:

Our students deserve safe, healthy schools and our members deserve safe, healthy workplaces. Parents demand nothing less. There is no reason to risk the lives and health of anyone in New Jersey through potential exposure to mercury when those dangers can be avoided. We commend the Legislature and Gov. Sherrill for doing the right thing to make our schools and students safer from this devastatingly dangerous toxin.