A West Virginia town has been contaminated and over 200 of its residents are being screened for mercury exposure because of the actions of some elementary school pranksters.
A group of 10-year-old boys stole about 4 pounds of mercury from an unlocked dentist's office and basically painted up the town with it. Yeeehaw! "It's shiny and makes fun shapes when you drop it," said a local doctor, trying to offer up an explanation for why the boys did it. The mayor of the town cut to chase saying, "Boys will be boys."
The little punks were busted shortly after one of them tried to trade his mercury for a pair of sneakers. Five of the boys who handled the poisonous substance showed high levels of exposure, but none suffered serious health risks. Until they got home, that is.
