On 01 November 2007, EPA was requested, to respond to a residence in Goodrich, Texas and investigate a mercury release. The home is a single family dwelling in a remote residential area. Reportedly, a 15 year old child had possession of 8 lbs of mercury for approximately four years at this residence. On 30 October 2007, pet dogs gained access to the bottle of mercury and punctured a hole in it. As a result, the dogs spread mercury throughout the interior of the residence. Upon the discovery of the spill that evening by the residents the Polk County Sheriffs Department was notified. They recommended leaving the house and the 15 year old left but his mother remained. EPA dispatched the START-3 to investigate on 1 November 2007 and documented the mercury release. The mother relocated at that time.
On November 30, 2007 decontamination efforts were completed at the site. START-3 then used the Lumex unit to take 15 min readings in the house. All readings were found to be < 0.75 ug/m3 in all rooms. START-3 then collected five samples with SKC pumps and hapcolite tubes. Four samples from within the house and one from a background position outside. Analytical results confirmed that mercury vapors were below 1 ug/m3.
On December 6, 2007, the house was retored to livable conditions (e.g. carpeting installed) and personal belongings (items with mercury contamination less than 10 ug/m3) were returned. The Roll Off box of items with mercury contamination greater than 10 ug/m3 was removed to the landfill for disposal on December 10, 2007.
Approximately 76.3 pounds of elemental mercury was collected from the site. Additionally, approximately 9 pounds of mercury was collected from the community to be properly recyled.
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