Introduction

1. Introduction Mercury

2. Play Video The Magic Metal- Mercury and It’s Hidden Dangers

3. Introduction • Developed for Western Wayne County Fire Department Mutual Aid Association • For • First Responders • Community

4. Mercury Physical Properties Mercury Exposure and Health Effects Who to Notify if a Mercury Spill Occurs Mercury Spills: All Eyes on You Mercury Awareness Case Studies Introduction to Mercury

5. Mercury in Your Home Mercury in Schools Mercury in Healthcare Industry Mercury for Religious and Medicinal Purposes Mercury in Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry Mercury Disposal Options Preventionand Reduction

6. Initial Actions Small Spill Information Large Spill Information Resources and Responsibilities Funding and Grants Monitoring Instruments Air Sampling Method and Equipment OSPPERA Quick Reference Guide Spill Response

7. GeneralReferenceInformation • Web Resources for Mercury Information • Multi-Media Mercury Information • Boilerplate SOG’s on Mercury • Mercury Q & A • Contractor list • Check list

8. Play Video Mercury- Periodic Table

9. What is mercury? • Naturally occurring metal • Shiny, silver-white • Odorless liquid at room temperature • Vapor is odorless and colorless • Insoluble in water • Mercury is also known as “Quicksilver” or “Liquid Silver”

10. Types of mercury: • Elemental mercury • Inorganic mercury or mercury salt • Organic mercury (most commonly from methyl mercury)

11. Physical Properties of Elemental Mercury: • Symbol: Hg • Atomic mass:200.59 • Boiling point:674.6 • Freezing point:-38.2 • Specific gravity: 13.5 • Vapor pressure:0.0012 mm Hg • Vapor density:6.93

12. Mercury Exposure and Health Effects

13. Common routes Inhalation Ingestion absorption Common exposure pathways Eating fish or shellfish vapors in air from spills, incinerators, and industries Absorption through the skin How can I be exposed to mercury?

14. How can mercury affect my health? • Short-term exposure • Lung damage, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increases in blood pressure • heart rate, skin rashes, and eye irritation Effects may be delayed.

15. How can mercury affect my health? • Long-term exposure • Permanently damage the central nervous system, kidneys, and developing fetuses. • Symptoms may include irritability, tremors, weakness, cognitive disturbances, and memory problems

16. Is there a medical test to determine mercury exposure? • Blood or urine samples are used to test for exposure to mercury • For more information, visit www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts46.html

17. Who to Notify if a Mercury Spill Occurs • Quick notification • first step in cleaning up the mercury • Spill occurs • Business, Residence, environment • “reportable quantity” of 1 pound • (slightly over 2 tablespoons)

18. Who to Notify if a Mercury Spill Occurs • National Response Center • National Response Center:(800) 424-8802 • EPA, USCG • Michigan Department of Environmental Quality • 24 hour Pollution Emergency Alert System (PEAS) (800) 292-4706 • Local health department • Fire department

19. Mercury Awareness Case Studies

20. Mercury Awareness Case Studies • 1989 Lincoln Park, Michigan • first residential mercury emergency responses in U.S. EPA Region 5. • individual was smelting dental amalgams in his home to recover silver • released high levels of mercury vapors • four adult residents died

21. Mercury Awareness Case Studies • 1989 Lincoln Park, Michigan • Initial cleanup activities consisted of using charcoal filters to remove mercury vapors from the air. After 1 month, 70 pounds of mercury were removed from the air, and the decision was made to demolish the house. • total clean-up cost was more than $325,000.

22. Mercury Awareness Case Studies • 1993 Nova, Ohio • rental property • family recently moved into • discovered mercury spilled throughout the basement • mother was misinformed that mercury was not dangerous as long they didn’t touch it

23. Mercury Awareness Case Studies • 1993 Nova, Ohio • three children required chelation therapy. • 8 fluid ounces of mercury has spilled • All possessions in the house were disposed of • treated with a mercury vapor suppressant • sealed with epoxy paint and the basement floor was sealed with concrete.

24. Mercury Awareness Case Studies • 1993 Nova, Ohio • 6 months, the house was heated and vented to further reduce mercury vapor concentrations. • family still suffers from long-term health effects • total clean-up cost was more than $225,000

25. Mercury Awareness Case Studies • 1999 Centreville, Michigan • foster family made numerous trips to the hospital with 4- and 6-year-old children to diagnose unexplained symptoms • Physician recognized the symptoms as possible mercury poisoning and tested other family members • 6-year-old was placed in intensive care for over 1 month due to hypertension.

26. Mercury Awareness Case Studies • 1999 Centreville, Michigan • EPA discovered mercury contamination at the family’s residence. • Cleanup activities were conducted over 1 month and consisted of removing elemental mercury using a specialized vacuum, decontaminating and sealing affected areas of the basement, and heating and venting the house.

27. Mercury Awareness Case Studies • 1999 Centreville, Michigan • total clean-up cost was approximately $63,000

28. Mercury Awareness Case Studies • 2002, Private Residence, Ohio • thermometer was dropped and broke on a wooden floor, spreading mercury beads throughout the living room. • husband and wife 6 months pregnant • 2-year old • husband cleaned up the visible mercury • used his vacuum cleaner

29. Mercury Awareness Case Studies • 2002, Private Residence, Ohio • vapor levels in the home exceeded the safe limits • contractor recovered mercury beads from the joints of the wooden floor • Mercury vapor suppressant chemicals were used to clean the floor

30. Mercury Awareness Case Studies • 2002, Private Residence, Ohio • family vacuum cleaner, an area rug, and the shoes were discarded. • total cleanup cost was less than $1,000