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On Dec. 2, OSC Smith responded to a report of a mercury spill at Grayson Middle School in Leitchfield, KY, (NRC #743052). The source of the release occurring originally on Nov. 23 involved a vial of mercury that was being used as a demonstration in a class. At that time, the school conducted a minor cleanup themselves, removing all visible mercury and applying powdered sulfur to bind up any remaining mercury beads.
OSC Smith mobilized to the incident at the request of KYDEP to assist in air monitoring using the EPA-owned Lumex mercury analyzer. The OSC arrived onsite at 1500 hrs. CST and was met by officials with the Grayson Co. School District, Grayson Co. Emergency Management, and KYDEP. The class room was checked with the Lumex Analyzer. The EPA OSC discovered additional mercury beads and attempted to use duct tape to remove the source. After this attempt at source control, results indicated that while a source of mercury was still present, mercury vapor concentrations were well below EPA's removal action level of 2 ug/m3. The school district indicated their intention was to complete the cleanup using a commercially available mercury spill kit. EPA and KYDEP concluded that the response was appropriate to the given situation and demobilized the site at approximately 1700 hrs. CST.
No further EPA action is necessary.
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