{
  "id": "2023-11-22-lehigh-university-mercury-update-on-lehigh-campus-area",
  "slug": "lehigh-university-mercury-update-on-lehigh-campus-area-2023-11-22",
  "institution": {
    "name": "Lehigh University",
    "shortName": "Lehigh",
    "state": "PA",
    "type": "private-r2",
    "alertSystemName": "HawkWatch",
    "enrollment": 7500
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2023-11-22",
    "type": "infrastructure",
    "cleryCategory": "timely-warning",
    "resolution": "resolved",
    "headline": "Mercury Update on Lehigh campus area",
    "headlinePublic": "Mercury Update on Lehigh campus area",
    "summary": "Lehigh University Police [issued a HawkWatch notification](https://lehigh.apparmor.com/Notifications/CAP/?id=131992&t=220755210). Full text is preserved from the official AppArmor CAP alert page.",
    "outcome": "See official HawkWatch alert for operational status."
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "update",
      "channel": "multi-channel",
      "verbatimText": "Safety Bulletin: Mercury Update\n\nFollowing up on the Safety Bulletin sent on November 15 (https://lehigh.apparmor.com/Notifications/CAP/?id=131568&t=219351347), this communication provides information regarding the mercury discovered in Iacocca Hall. \n\nSince the discovery, the university has been consulting with a team of specialists to perform remediation and testing, and will continue to follow all provided guidance and recommended protocols. The health and safety of our Lehigh community members remain our top priority throughout this process.\n\nOver the last few days, we have received additional results from the swab testing of surfaces in labs in Iacocca C Wing. The results of the swab testing indicate a presence of mercury that is above OSHA limits. These spaces have been closed since the initial discovery of the mercury. \n\nThe areas have been deep-cleaned by a team of remediation specialists. The cleaning was completed and additional swab testing was conducted on Tuesday. Additional labs near the original location where mercury was discovered will also undergo swab and air quality testing. \n\nAs shared previously, air quality tests performed in the C Wing indicated levels below OSHA and NIOSH requirements.\n\nTo accommodate the cleaning and retesting process, the areas that have been closed in Iacocca Hall's C Wing will remain closed until remediation is completed and further testing indicates that the area is safe. Please continue to observe all directional signage and remain out of areas marked closed. \n\nThe primary route of mercury exposure is inhalation. Virtually no elemental mercury is absorbed through the skin or gastrointestinal tract. The lab spaces affected by mercury are all under negative pressure and well ventilated by building HVAC and exhaust hoods (preventing air in the affected areas from circulating). \n\nAir quality test results have consistently shown levels below OSHA and NIOSH requirements. Therefore, individuals who have accessed the C wing are considered at minimal to low risk of exposure and work in all rooms other than those that are closed is safe.\n\nTo address questions from the community, a page will be published on the university website containing FAQs. This page will go live soon and be updated as remediation and testing continues.\n\nThank you for your continued patience as we work to support the safety of our community.\n\nJason Schiffer\nAVP, Campus Safety\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAppArmor\n\r\nA Rave Mobile Safety Company\n\r\nCopyright © 2026, All Rights Reserved.\n\r\nTerms of Use | Privacy Policy",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://lehigh.apparmor.com/Notifications/CAP/?id=131992&t=220755210",
      "sourceDescription": "Lehigh HawkWatch AppArmor CAP notification",
      "annotations": [
        "Transcribed from official lehigh.apparmor.com HawkWatch CAP page.",
        "incident.date from Alert sent timestamp on CAP page."
      ],
      "characterCount": 2574,
      "confidence": "high",
      "timestampApprox": "Wednesday, November 22, 2023 4:39:25 PM"
    }
  ],
  "context": "Lehigh University HawkWatch notification series via AppArmor CAP archive.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "Official HawkWatch CAP page preserves the Event and Description of the campus notification."
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "type": "official-archive",
      "title": "Safety Bulletin: Mercury Update",
      "url": "https://lehigh.apparmor.com/Notifications/CAP/?id=131992&t=220755210",
      "accessDate": "2026-07-25"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "lehigh",
    "hawkwatch",
    "infrastructure"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-07-25",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-25",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}