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EPA and START initially responded on March 22, 2005, to a mercury spill at Madison Central High School (MCHS) located at 705 North Second Street, Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky. As investigations developed concerning the mercury spill and cross-contamination, the initial response resulted in two associated residential mercury cleanups funded by EPA. The first residential cleanup focused on the Gross property because of the high levels of mercury vapor detected within the residence. This POLREP describes actions relevant to the Gross Property Mercury Response.
At approximately 1900 hours on March 23, 2005, START/EPA arrived at the Gross family residence located at 3278 Doylesville Road, Richmond, KY in order to perform mercury vapor monitoring. Initial readings fouled the Lumex MVA. EPA utilized a Jerome MVA and measured airborne concentrations of mercury of 412,000 ng/m3. The EPA action level is 1,000 ng/m3. ATSDR guidance advises residential evacuation at 10,000 ng/m3.
The Gross family evacuated the residence later that same night. They placed their dogs outside. As the family was unable to bring any personal items from their residence, they were escorted by EPA to the Salvation Army located in Richmond, Kentucky. The Gross family acquired clothing and other essential items at the Salvation Army to meet their immediate needs until the following day. Clothing and personal items of the Gross family were bagged and returned to their residence for screening. The Gross family was relocated to the Red Roof Inn in Richmond, Kentucky.
EPA selected ERRS contractor CMC to conduct the mercury clean-up at the Gross property. CMC removed porous items of property to a tented location on the front yard. START measured mercury concentrations off gassing from each article.
CMC continued the clean-up with the process of vacuuming visible mercury beads, applying absorbent materials, washing residual contamination with a caustic removal agent, and heating and venting the indoor atmosphere.
EPA teamed with USACE to provide for relocation and assignment of value to property that required to be discarded.
On April 1, 2005, as a result of the cleanup efforts at the Gross family residence, monitoring results utilizing the Lumex mercury vapor analyzer indicated levels below the EPA clean-up levels and the house was relinquished back to the Gross family.
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