Introduction Mercury

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

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

Introduction to Mercury 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

Prevention and Reduction 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

Spill Response 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

General Reference Information Web Resources for Mercury Information Multi-Media Mercury Information Boilerplate SOG’s on Mercury Mercury Q & A Contractor list Check list

Mercury- Periodic Table Play Video Mercury- Periodic Table

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”

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

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

Mercury Exposure and Health Effects

How can I be exposed to mercury? 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 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.

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

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

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)

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

Mercury Awareness Case Studies

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Mercury in Your Home

Mercury in Your Home Thermostats Dental amalgams Light switches Thermometers Fluorescent lights Batteries Appliance switches Toys

Knowing which products contain mercury and handling them properly will limit the risk of mercury exposure.

Lighting Products Containing Mercury Fluorescent bulbs environmentally friendly energy-efficient last longer kitchen, workshop, garage, and other home lighting Metal halide bulbs Street lights, security, and floodlights

Lighting Products Containing Mercury High-pressure sodium bulbs street, security, and floodlights Neon bulbs used in novelty lounge, and retail store lighting. Automotive headlamps characteristic blue tint when lit

Lighting Products Containing Mercury Dispose of mercury-containing bulbs recycling site Mercury-containing bulb recyclers are identified at the following website:

Mercury in Medical Supply Thermometers silver liquid in thermometers different-colored liquid (usually red) contain alcohol, not mercury Blood pressure cuffs

Mercury Thermometer Rite-Aid stop selling mercury thermometers Michigan banded sales of mercury thermometers, thermostat, blood pressure devices and medical devices. 1997 For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3307_29693_4175-160230--,00.html

Mercury Thermostat Mercury-containing tilt switches more than 40 years Many older thermostats and some current ones use switches containing mercury. Michigan band

Appliance Switches Gas-fired appliances Switches stoves, ovens, water heaters, clothes dryers, furnaces, and space heaters Switches Clothing irons, top loading freezers, and washing machines may use switches containing mercury

Toys Containing Mercury Barometers weather instrument Old chemistry sets and mercury mazes Children's’ chemistry sets were once sold with liquid mercury the mercury maze, contains a drop of mercury that is moved through the maze

Other Items with Mercury Batteries contain mercuric oxide All shapes and sizes commonly used in calculators, cameras, hearing aids, and watches Lighted athletic shoes Pre-1997 tennis shoes with light-up soles contain mercury

Other Items with Mercury Paint latex paint made before 1990 Microwave ovens Bulbs-older ovens Disinfectants Pesticides before 1990

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities For more information, please visit www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3585_4130-115394--,00.html www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3307_29693_4175-11761--,00.html www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3307_29693_4175-160230--,00.html

Mercury in Schools

Mercury in Schools 1997 study Children exposed to mercury CDC Children exposed to mercury muscle tremors, irritability, personality changes, mental retardation, neurological damage, impairment of language, attention and memory loss, and even death. Trouble learning

Mercury in Schools Cleanup in schools are expensive $1,000- $130,000 to clean-up easily and rapidly spreads through a school, creating an immediate health issue Spills have occurred Because of mercury in the school or from outside (someone brought into the school)

Mercury in Schools To reduce mercury in schools Know where to find it Science classrooms Nurse stations, Maintenance rooms (electrical and heating) Kitchens (thermometers) What to look for Containers of mercury Thermometers containing silver liquid (laboratory and medical) Barometers Sphygmomanometers (blood-pressure measuring device) Fluorescent lamps Mercury switches (light and float control) Older fungicides and pesticides

Mercury in Schools Reduce the presence of mercury Teacher Awareness and Education educate students, other teachers, and administrators about the health hazards of mercury Promote proper management and recycling Prevent mercury spills Promote alternative products

Mercury in Schools What to do in case of a spill? Leave the spill area, and keep others out. Close inside doors and open outside windows Turn down the heat, and turn off air conditioning or fans Do NOT clean up the spill with a vacuum cleaner Notify the appropriate authorities.

Mercury in Healthcare Industry

Hospitals and Clinics Mercury spills have occurred in clinics and hospitals Where do I look? Examination and surgical rooms Nurse Stations Cafeterias (thermometers) Laboratories and chemistry rooms

Hospitals and Clinics What to look for? Laboratory chemicals Mercury thermometers (laboratory and medical) Mercury barometers Mercury gauges Sphygmomanometer (blood pressure device) Gastrointestinal tubes Fluorescent and high-intensity discharge lamps Pharmaceutical products

Hospitals and Clinics In Michigan, Blood Pressure Device Sales/Use Ban: Public Act 493 of 2006: prohibits the sale of mercury-added blood pressure devices by January 1, 2008 and their 'use' by January 1, 2009.

Hospitals and Clinics Also, Medical Devices Sales Ban Public Act 494 of 2006 : Public Act 494 of 2006 bans the sale of esophageal dilators, bougie tubes and gastrointestinal tubes that contain mercury or mercury-compounds beginning January 1, 2009.

Hospitals and Clinics Information on this and other programs can be obtained at the following websites: www.epa.state.oh.us/opp/Mercury%20Challenge_Web.pdf www.epa.state.oh.us/opp/hospital.html www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3307_29693_4175-160230--,00.html

Mercury in Healthcare Industry Mercury from dental offices enter the environment? Mercury-containing amalgam particles rinsed down drains, sink traps Amalgam particles in a Bio-bags incinerated Amalgam particles in ordinary trash Non-hazardous waste landfill

Mercury in Healthcare Industry Dental Mercury Amalgam Separators Public Act 503 of 2008 requires that on or before December 31, 2013, Dentists shall install or have installed separator in all drains

Mercury in Healthcare Industry For more information on best management practices, visit www.ada.org/prof/resources/topics/topics_amalgamwaste.pdf www.mercvt.org/dentalbmp.pdf www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3307_29693_4175-160230--,00.html

Mercury for Religious and Medicinal Purposes

Mercury for Religious and Medicinal Purposes Folk medicine Believe to bring luck in love, money, health, and to ward off evil. Religions use Santeria, Palo, Voodoo, Wick, and Espirtiemso

Mercury for Religious and Medicinal Purposes Common dangerous uses of mercury in religion Carrying mercury in a sealed pouch Sprinkling mercury in a home or automobile Mixing mercury with bath water or perfume Burning devotional candles containing mercury

Mercury for Religious and Medicinal Purposes For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/html/doh/pdf/eode/mercury2.pdf

Mercury in Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry

Mercury in Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry Dairy farms Mercury-containing manometers Approximately 12 ounces Routinely maintenance Other sources Fungicides, mildewcides, latex paint, and outdoor fabric treatments (all pre-1995)

Mercury in Agriculture, Commerce, and Industry For more information, visit www.epa.state.oh.us/opp/manometer_web.pdhttp www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3585_4129_4183-11832--,00.htmlf www.epa.gov/glnpo/bnsdocs/hgsbook/agr.pdf

Commercial and Industrial Uses Other sources Automotive industry, chemical manufacturers, food processors, laboratories, and paper mills.

Mercury Disposal Options

Mercury Disposal Options Recycling Safely remove/reuse Hazardous Waste Cannot safely remove/reuse

Mercury Disposal Options Household Hazardous Waste Collection Programs communities and counties couple times per year Allow environmentally safe disposal hazardous, poisonous, and toxic household products

Mercury Disposal Options Products typically accepted Mercury, mercury-containing products including thermometers, thermostats, switches, and liquid mercury Paints, strippers, primers, varnishes, solvents, spray paint, and paint thinners Automotive fluids, including oil and antifreeze Garden chemicals, including pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides Lead acid batteries

Mercury Disposal Options Household Hazardous Waste Collection visit the following website: www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3585_4130-115394--,00.html www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-ess-recycle-contact-wayne_215525_7.pd www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3307_29693_4175-11691--,00.html

Spill Response

Spill Response A. Initial Actions B. Small Spill Information C. Large Spill Information D. Resources and Responsibilities E. Funding and Grants F. Monitoring Instruments G. Air Sampling Method and Equipment

Initial Actions Actions that Should be Taken Do’s /Don'ts minimize possible health impacts, spread of contamination, and associated clean up time

Actions that Should be Taken aka Do’s Immediately evacuate the area aka HOT ZONE Bag, and seal clothing and shoes Place the bag outdoors Secure location Wash exposed skin warm water and soap

Initial Actions Ventilate the area Isolate vapors Notify Open windows (caution) Turn off HVAC Isolate vapors prevent vapor migration to other rooms duct tape door Notify MDEQ,EPA, Local Fire Department, local health department

Actions that Should not be Taken aka Don’ts DO NOT allow anyone or any pets to enter the area. DO NOT attempt to vacuum spilled mercury DO NOT allow Firefighter in enter area Without chemical PPE DO NOT attempt to clean-up area Firefighter shouldn’t cleanup spill Unless they are willing to take responsibility

Small Spill Information Broken thermometer or thermostat .6 - 3.0 grams = 1 droplet (pea size) Limited to a small area (contained) 4’ x 4’ area or less Cleaned up easily Within 1 hour

Small Spill Information Coordinated with MDEQ, EPA, local health department, and possibly the U.S. EPA Anything over >.6 - 3.0 grams = 1 droplet (pea size) >uncontained area >4’ x 4’ area or more >1 hour

Large Spill Information > 3.0 grams Uncontained area’s Complicated clean-ups Require multi-agency response EPA, MDEQ, local / state health dept’s, EMA, fire department, hazardous materials unit Typically involves Referral, Removal, Replacement, Reoccupation

Resources and Responsibilities Each publicly funded department or agency has the responsibility for providing sensible and protective advice to concerned citizens, schools, and businesses. By understanding the basic protective measures presented in this manual, local responders can correctly advise community members and refer them, if necessary, to other experienced individuals as appropriate.

Resources and Responsibilities OSPPERA’s “Mercury Spill Response & Cleanup Guidance.” U.S. EPA Region 5 “Mercury Response Guidebook” Both Guidebooks included in the CD Internet

Funding and Grants Local Government Reimbursement Temporary emergency measures Releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances Eligible local governments up to $25,000 per incident

Funding and Grants LGR Program Information is also available at LGR Help Line at (800) 431-9209 or e-mail questions tolgrinfo@epa.gov Information is also available at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/programs/er/lgr/lgrfaqs.htm

Funding and Grants Other Funding for Mercury-Related Projects Great Lakes National Program Office's Great Lakes Program Funding www.epa.gov/glnpo/fund/glf.html Community Toolbox Children's Environmental Health Grants Communitytoolbox.org

Insurance Claims Insurance policies vary significantly depending on the company and coverage. In case of a mercury spill, contact the insurance company to determine coverage and liability. Most Insurance policies don’t cover Mercury Spills

Monitoring Instruments Lumex RA-915+ Mercury vapor content in ambient air, water, soil, and natural and stack gases. Real-time measurement Read very levels atomic-absorption spectrometer Preferred

Monitoring Instruments Jerome Goldfilm sensor Mercury vapor in the air (High levels) Gold film becomes saturated, Regeneration mode

Monitoring Instruments Less common instruments VM-3000 Nippon EMP-1A

Air Sampling Method and Equipment National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 6009 for measuring mercury in air samples