Queensland school shut after students exposed to mercury

A state school in Queensland's south has been closed after students and teachers were potentially exposed to mercury.

The toxic substance was brought onto the grounds of Cunnamulla State School, housing students from kindergarten to year 12, by students yesterday.

Cunnamulla is around 750km west of Brisbane, and the school has been closed today.

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"School staff acted immediately to remove the substance from the students and contacted relevant council and health authorities to report the incident," a spokesperson for the Queensland Department of Education said.

"Parents and carers of involved students were informed and advised to seek medical attention for their children."

Mercury is a highly toxic metal, and exposure with contact to the skin or through ingestion can lead to damage to key organs in the body.

The Queensland Fire Department said they have sent five firefighters, including scientific officers, to the scene, and that multiple sites of concern had been located at the school.

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South West Hospital and Health Service Acting Executive Director of Medical Services, Dr Kent McDonald, said multiple people had presented with health concerns and had been provided with baseline checks and tests,

"There have been no admissions to Cunnamulla MPHS related to the incident and there have been no people presenting with any symptoms," he added.

The Queensland Department of Education said it would follow the advice of experts and authorities in deciding when to reopen the school.