On April 13, 2024, the National Response Center
notified EPA that the resident of a home in Longview, Washington released six to seven milliliters (mL) of mercury in their workshop while disassembling an unknown
object. The mercury spilled onto the workbench and floor,
potentially dispersing throughout the workshop. Both the resident and a dog
were in the workshop and the time of the incident and had the potential to
track and spread the mercury to the environment. The
resident reported the incident to the NRC.
The resident contacted his insurance company and hired a private cleanup contractor, and EPA mobilized to the site along with START contractors on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, to assess the extent of contamination, conduct mercury vapor monitoring, assist with decontamination and collect data to clear the space for re-occupancy.
