On 01 November 2007, At approximately 1040 hours, EPA was requested, to respond to a residence in Goodrich, Texas and investigate a home that had been contaminated by Mercury. The home is a single family dwelling in a remote residential area. A 15 year old child had possession of 8 lbs of mercury for approximately four years at this residence. On 30 October 2007, dogs living at the residence, family pets, somehow got access to the bottle containing the mercury and while playing with it punctured a hole in the bottle and spread mercury about the interior of the residence. Upon the discovery of the spill that evening by the residents the Polk County Sheriffs Department was called in to give advice on what to do. They recommended leaving the house the 15 year old left but his mother remained. EPA dispatched the START-3 to investigate on 1 November 2007 and arrived on scene that afternoon at about 1630 hours.
START-3 met TCEQ representative and the Polk County Fire Marshall, at the scene. START-3 used a Lumex Mercury Detector to confirm the presence of Mercury Vapors. START-3 entered the house in Level C and monitored with a Lumex Mercury Detector (Lumex). The Lumex indicated concentrations above 10 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) mercury and the START-3 members exited the house. Lumex readings just inside the door ranged from 16 μg/m3 to 46 μg/m3.
Based on Poison Control recommendations the residents had their own blood drawn to assess any mercury levels in their bodies.
EPA will determine the extent of contamination prior to initation of clean-up activities.
START-3 will continue to assess the situation and try to determine any additional sources of contamination.
The key Issue is to prevent the mercury from affecting the environment and the surrounding community.
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