During the week of October 2, 2017, the FBI and the Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue (TVFR) Hazmat team contacted EPA to request technical and air monitoring assistance at an apartment residence in Tualatin, OR, where mercury was believed to have been used as a threat agent by a person who was allegedly manufacturing drugs and working with explosive materials. The resident was also believed to have three dangerous large African cats and a poisonous snake for personal protection in the apartment.
On Wednesday, October 11, 2017, EPA assisted a multi-agency response team that entered and assessed the apartment residence for explosive materials and other potentially dangerous chemicals. The interagency team was comprised of FBI and Portland Police Bomb Squads, ATF, Washington County Sheriff's Department, TVFR, 102nd Oregon State Civil Support Team, and Washington County and Oregon State Animal Control agencies. EPA provided technical assistance, mercury awareness and response training, and a mercury vapor analyzer to the entry teams. After the entry teams completed their assessment using the mercury vapor analyzer, it was determined that no mercury had been spilled in the apartment.
