On Monday, Sept. 23, the owner of the impacted residence made the required notification to National Response Center (NRC). EPA On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) visited the residence to investigate the mercury contamination on Sept. 24 and Sept. 25.
EPA OSCs found mercury vapor readings above their instrument’s upper limit of 50,000 nanograms and viewed microbeads in the basement area. Based on the visual confirmation of mercury; the very high vapor levels; photos the remodeling company provided the EPA OSCs of the large amount of mercury originally discovered; and detectable levels of mercury vapors in the middle home of the triplex, additional cleanup work is warranted.
EPA OSCs also found mercury present on clothing and in vehicles of employees of the renovation contractor and in the adjacent unit of the triplex. The levels in the adjacent unit were below response action levels.
The owner of the residence made efforts, with technical assistance from EPA OSCs, to contract a private company to conduct cleanup of the residence. A team from the contracted company mobilized to the Site on October 7th to begin cleanup. Their cleanup efforts are anticipated to to include removal of impacted carpet, removal of any remaining elemental mercury, and sealing impacted construction features.
EPA OSCs will continue to provide technical assistance, guidance, and oversite of this cleanup based on the complexity and age of the spill.
