The Region 7 EPA spill phone operator received a call on August 1, 2005 concerning a mercury spill at a residential location. The homeowners had been performing home renovations on July 29th and discovered visible mercury beads in a basement closet.
The homeowners had previously contacted poison control and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Sara Morgan, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services responded to the residence on August 1st and obtained initial Lumex readings. Ms. Morgan measured high levels of mercury throughout the residential home. Ms. Morgan then initiated contact with the EPA spill line. OSC Daniel Garvey and OSC "in training" Adam Ruiz responded to the location at 1415 on August 1, 2005. Upon arrival, Garvey and Ruiz queried the home owners concerning the origin and history of the mercury spill. The homeowners stated that the property had just been sold to them on Monday, July 25th and supplied contact information for the previous owner. The previous homeowner had passed away a year ago and his son, Jim Link had taken possession of the home.
The homeowners explained each of their roles that led to the identification/discovery of the mercury. Mr. John Herren was removing shelving from a basement closet and Mrs. Lisa Herren was operating a shop vacuum when she noticed beads of mercury on the concrete floor. Immediately Mrs. Herren contacted the poison control and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services who advised the homeowners to vent the house and to collect the visible mercury in a jar utilizing an eye dropper and duct tape. The homeowners were also advised to temporarily relocate due to their three children, ages 2, 7 and 9. The homeowners commented that the children had been relocated, however, Mr. and Mrs. Herron had remained in the home over the weekend.
At that point, OSC Garvey entered the home wearing Level C personal protective equipment including an air purifying respirator (APR) and confirmed the mercury release. Upon inspection, the spill had occurred beneath a gas meter. Due to the history of mercury being contained in gas meters and/or regulators, information was recorded from the meter for possible further inquiries from the gas company. Initial readings from the Lumex were approximately 30,000 ng/m3 in the area where the spill was discovered.
Mercury is a hazardous substance as described in 40 CFR 302.4. It is toxic to humans by inhalation.
The EPA’s Emergency Rapid Response Services (ERRS) contractor was activated by OSC Garvey, utilizing his warrant authority. The ERRS contractor was needed to assist in removing all of the mercury beads located in the basement of the home. Also, personal possessions will likely need to be bagged and removed from the home for treatment and possible disposal after becoming contaminated with mercury or being saturated with mercury vapors.
Also, other treatment technologies will likely be needed. For example, applying a "special two-part epoxy" on concrete areas to reduce any additional mercury vapors.
The EPA’s Superfund Technical Assistance Response Team (START) was also activated by OSC Garvey to monitor mercury vapors and to perform other technical duties.
