OSC Russell dispatched OSC Andrews to assist FLA DEP on an assessment of a mercury spill and resultant floor contamination in the classroom of West Port High School located in Ocala, Marion County, Florida. OSC Andrews was in Orlando, FL for Readiness training. In the afternoon of February 4, 2010, a three-foot long mercury barometer ruptured in the science classroom. The class instructor quickly contained the spill, evacuated the classroom, and contacted authorities to respond to the incident. West Port High School Principal shut-down the building ventilation to the building after closing off the classroom. The Ocala Fire Department's Haz-Mat Team responded and utilized their mercury spill kit to collect the remaining free standing mercury on the floor and applied a indicator absorbent to stabilize the residue. OSC Andrews assisted FLA DEP with the LUMEX Light portable mercury analyzer and documented that the mercury contamination was sufficiently mitigated by the response efforts by the Ocala Haz-Mat Team. OSC Andrews identified that the floor drain in the classroom continued to indicate over the Region's RAL for Hg of 3 ug/m^3 (Lumex detection of 6 ug/m^3). The drain and any remaining contamination issues were scheduled to be addressed by response contractors for the Marion County School System on February 5, 2010. No further action by EPA or DEP at this time.
