Overview: On June
3, 2024, EPA received a report of mercury spilled in a
detached shed at a residence
in Ogden, Utah. The relatives of a
deceased family member were cleaning out the shed and discovered a plastic
liter soda bottle that contained mercury but was leaking mercury from the
bottom of the bottle onto a shelf. The report stated there
were also 30 to 40 small bottles of other chemicals which may be related to photography
procedures. Some of the bottles are
labeled, some unlabeled. The relatives left the shed
and contacted the NRC. The Fire Department and
local health department responded and assisted in isolating the shed. The Utah
DEQ investigated the scene on June 4, 2024, accompanied by an ERRS contractor based
in Salt Lake City.
State, Local and other Federal
Agency Actions and Roles: The Utah Department of Environmental Quality investigated and is in contact with the reporting party and the responding federal OSC.
EPA Actions and Roles: A Federal On-Scene Coordinator and contractor assets mobilized to the
site on June 5, 2024.
The property cleanup was completed on Wednesday, June 19. An estimated 300 lbs of mercury was collected in addition to an estimated 200 chemical containers. Waste from the site and the chemical containers are currently awaiting final disposal.
Please see the Notices section of this website for more in depth updates on the field activity at the site.
