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Sycamore Point Mercury

 
Site Contact:
Kevin Eichinger
On-Scene Coordinator (OSC)

(eichinger.kevin@epa.gov)

Site Location:
525 Sycamore Point
Woodstock, GA 30189
 response.epa.gov/sycamorepointmercury
NRC#: 1108388

On February 18, 2015, EPA was advised that two adolescents discovered a container of free elemental mercury in a grandparent's basement and played with it, becoming both covered in mercury. Blood mercury level of one of teens exceeded health-based limits. Two homes were found to have elemental mercury contamination. EPA On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Stephen Ball mobilized to the scene. Superfund Technical Assessment Response Team (START) and Emergency and Rapid Removal Services (ERRS) contractors also mobilized to assist with the response. Multiple residences in the Woodstock and Caton area were found to be contaminated with elemental mercury. Assessment were completed at multiple schools and residences. Emergency removal actions were taken at 525 Sycamore Point, Woodstock GA, 624 Apache Trail, Woodstock, GA and 510 Cove Road, Canton, GA.

Oversight of the response was transitioned from OSC Stephen Ball to OSC Kevin Eichinger on Saturday, March 7, 2015.


Laundry Room with the washing machine removed Upstairs hallway with carpet removed 525 Sycamore Point - upstairs girl's bedroom after carpet was removed 525 Sycamore Point - washing machine and personal items, including bagged carpet, which were placed in rolloff for disposal 624 Apache Trail - mercury beads in driveway 624 Apache Trail - mercury beads in driveway 624 Apache Trail - mercury beads in driveway 624 Apache Trail - mercury beads along asphalt roadway 624 Apache Trail - mercury beads in drainage ditch along roadway 624 Apache Trail - mercury beads in drainage ditch along roadway ERRS applies DeconGel to the roadway saturated with microbeads caught in the divots of the Asphalt. Weather challenges at Apache Trail Melting snow at Apache Trail to prepare for DeconGel application Apartment suite floor of source house. Visible beads present throughout. Application of DeconGel Micro beads on the driveway Micro beads on the driveway Mercury beads under the deck Mercury saturated soil Removal of DeconGel in front of the source residence. Heat tents and personal items screening area at Apache Trail Staging/laydown at Apache trail Garage full of personal items at Apache Trail 5 Fluid oz/ approximately 4.5 lbs of elemental mercury recovered from yard operations Drumset in the basement apartment at Apache Trail covered in Hg beads Beads on the garage floor at Apache Trail Beads on the garage floor at Apache Trail Heat tent for personal items at Apache Trail Investigating a shop vacuum with a Jerome mercury vapor analyzer Elemental mercury coming out of the wall in the mother-in-law suite OSC Ball and START Vasser having a discussion on the initial Level B entry at Apache Trail Mercury puddles under basement tile/wall Garage. Personal items being bagged, screened and cataloged. Negative air machines used to reduce mercury vapors in the house Total elemental mercury recovered by 3/7/15. 27 fluid oz of a potential gallon. Total elemental mercury recovered by 3/7/15. 27 fluid oz of a potential gallon. Visible elemental mercury beads is crevasses of roadway pre-decontamination. Removal operations at the residence. Heat treatment tents are located to the left. Furniture for the basement with visible elemental mercury beads. Elemental Mercury beads on the exterior deck stair treads. Visible mercury beads around the column of the deck found during excavation. Mercury uncovered while excavation under the deck. Garage floor post decontamination and treatment. Applying the first coat of epoxy sealer. Lower level hallway post demolition and decontamination. Lower level living room post decontamination and demolition. Lower level living space post demolition and decontamination. The wall between the living room and bedroom #3 had to be removed in order to access the free elemental mercury under the sill plate. Bedroom 4 post demolition. Heat treatment operations to drive off any absorbed mercury vapor. Temporary exhaust fan to remove residual mercury vapor. Excavation along the driveway. Excavation of a drainage area below the driveway. Front yard post excavation Lower driveway removal. Upper level living room and dining room during the decontamination and treatment phase of the project. Note: food on table belonged to the property owners. Upper level kitchen during the decontamination and treatment operations. 3 - 16 fluid ounce jars of elemental mercury that were removed from the Apache Trail Residence and buried in the woods behind the house. he juvenile responsible for the incident showed the OSC where the material was buried. Over excavating the hole where the mercury was buried. Driveway drainage ditch post excavation. Additional elemental mercury desorbing from the soil under the deck. Post contaminated driveway removal Completed front yard excavation. Completed front yard excavation. Contaminated soil pile in the background. Excavating along Apache Trail. Excavation along Apache Trail. Post back fill and driveway prep for re-install. Post back fill along either side of the section of driveway that was decontaminated garage area on bottom floor after removal actions, including application of epoxy paint to floor and walls bedroom areas on bottom floor after removal actions bedroom and hallway areas on bottom floor after removal actions play room and bedroom areas after removal actions play room area after removal actions; exhaust fan visible in window play room area after removal actions closet area beneath steps on bottom floor play room and hallway areas after removal actions hallway and play room areas on bottom floor after removal actions bathroom on bottom floor after removal actions stairs leading from top floor to bottom floor after removal actions front bedroom on top floor after removal actions living room on top floor after removal actions living room on top floor after removal actions top floor near stairs after removal actions master bedroom on top floor after removal actions front bedroom on top floor after removal actions front room on top floor after removal actions stairs leading down to bottom floor after removal actions hallway on top floor after removal actions
For additional information, visit the Pollution/Situation Report (Pol/Sitreps) section.