The Lamar Life Building is reported to be a privately owned building being rented for use as a federal court. The building is located at 317 East Capitol Street, in Jackson, Hinds County, Mississipppi.
On October 16, 2007, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) requested EPA assistance in assessment and monitoring of cleanup activities at the Site. Reportedly approximately 1.5 cups (about 11 lbs) of mercury had been spilled within the building from an overturned trash can. The source of the mercury was unknown at the time of the report. MDEQ reported that approximately 75 people had been evacuated from the building, and the building owner had employed a cleanup contractor to mitigate the spill.
OSC Terrence Byrd was dispatched to provide assistance and oversight. START contractor support was also deployed.
Contaminated clothing screening conducted by START has resulted in screening of 100 persons out of 196 contacted. There was only one individual with levels of contamination above 100 ug/m3 detected on shoes.
USES and EPA have screened the Lamar Life building and detected levels below 3ug/m3 throughout the work areas in all levels of the building except the basement. This level is considerably lower than the cleanup level of 10ug/m3 determined for this site by EPA, OSHA and ATSDR. The foyer entrance is being further treated in order to remove even more traces of mercury.
USES will attempt to clear the elevator and continue work in the basement. START will continue screening clothing of building occupants. EPA will screen the automobile and house of the individual with elevated mercury levels on their shoes.
The Lamar Life building, based on cleanup levels determined in consultation with ATSDR and OSHA is available for occupancy. The basement and one elevator is not availble for use. A public meeting is sheduled for Friday, Octber 19th at 1 pm.
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