Background:
On August 23, 2026, EPA received a report from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (UDEQ) of mercury spills in two separate houses. The incident was reported by a family in West Jordan, UT. According to the report, on August 21, 2026 the family was moving storage items at the first property when his young child found a vial containing an estimated 25 to 50 mL of mercury, most of which spilled onto the bare concrete floor. Unbeknownst to the family, the remaining mercury in the vial was brought back to their home by a sibling. The parents then found the child playing with mercury on the back patio and called the Salt Lake County Health Department (SLCHD).
At room temperature, mercury vaporizes into a toxic, colorless, odorless gas and can be easily inhaled, potentially causing significant organ damage and/or complications to the nervous system. Demographics such as children and pregnant women are particularly susceptible to health effects from mercury vapor exposure. The health department initiated an assessment of the home where they found elevated levels of mercury vapors and alerted UDEQ. The health department and UDEQ advised that the family leave their home and find temporary lodging.
On August 24th, 2026, UDEQ and Salt Lake Health Department requested assistance from EPA Region 8 in cleaning up the mercury spills at the first property, which is unoccupied, and the second property, which is occupied by a family of six, and the vehicle that was used to transport the family from the first property to their home.
EPA Deployment:
EPA Region 8 Emergency Response Team mobilized on the evening of Monday August 24, 2026. On Tuesday, August 25, an On- Scene Coordinator arrived with contractors from both the START contract and the ERRS contract.
For updates on the progress of the response, please see the "Notices" section of this website.
Further Reading:
For information on the health effects of mercury exposures, please see the resources below
https://www.epa.gov/mercury/health-effects-exposures-mercury
https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSp/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=113&toxid=24
