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Type of facility or Site: Public High School
Actions Taken: EPA OSC was initially notified of subject event from NC Division of Emergency Management (Rich Berman) area coordinator on 8/8/03 at noon. Spill occurred as a result of contractor renovations inside a chemistry lab at subject location. Apparently a barometer was broken causing 1-3 lbs of elemental mercury to spill onto tables and the floor. The local haz-mat team responded and successfully overpacked the barometer and residual obvious mercury. The room was secured pending EPA arrival and clearance.
EPA arrived on site in early afternoon of 8/8 and met with school, county and state officials. School had contracted with local environmental clean up contractor (P&F Enviro) who was awaiting direction from OSC. OSC informed all parties that highly sensitive air monitoring equipment was needed and that it was enroute from a nearby
Superfund site. It was agreed that all parties would reconvene on site early on Saturday, 8/9/03.
8/9/03 - Chemistry lab was heated to 88F. Lumex and Jerome instrumentation both confirmed elevated airborne mercury levels greater than 30,000ng/m3. P&F was directed by OSC to perform massive cleanup throughout room including the removal of sink traps and focused cleaning along sinks, baseboards and other crevices where liquid mercury may reside. P&F worked entire weekend (8/9 and 8/10). START contractor returned early on 8/11/03 prior to school activities. Airborne levels had dropped measurably to below 2000 - 3000ng/m3. Based on these readings with both Lumex and Jerome MVAs, the OSC determined that occupancy was now allowable. OSC referred to EPA-IV SOP for mercury cleanup operations for schools. These cleanup numbers meet the SOP guidance.
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