A mercury spill that closed the Amtrak station in Martinez on Monday was bigger than initially thought and may have spread to the platform and inside the train station, officials from Contra Costa Health (CCH) told the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
The station remains closed as of midday Tuesday and Amtrak is using the old train station a few blocks away at Ferry Street and Marina Vista Avenue.
CCH deputy director Matt Kaufmann said the county is bringing in a contractor later Tuesday to help with the cleanup. County officials initially estimate there was a pound to 1.5 pounds of mercury spilled.
“We have not confirmed that (amount),” Kaufmann said. “What we can say is we are able to monitor for mercury in the air, which is really the primary concern. What we have found is about 1,000 times less than it would be to be considered immediately dangerous to life and health.”
Kaufman said CCH was advised of the spill by the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District around 3 p.m. Monday. The station was then closed. CCH previously said it confirmed the presence of mercury around 5:45 p.m.
Kaufmann said CCH is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Califiornia Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board to further assess the situation and do more monitoring.
There’s no timetable to reopen the station and the origin of the mercury isn’t yet known.
Kaufmann said anyone who was in the area Monday should check shoes and clothing. Anyone who thinks they may have tracked through the mercury should double-bag clothes and shoes, put them outside, and call the county hazardous materials team at (925) 655-3200.
He said people should not attempt to wash their clothes or put them in a washing machine, as that could spread contamination.
14 comments
… used to play with mercury as a kid.. used to take copper pennies and coat them with mercury… made them all silvery and shiny…. now days that is taboo – for good reason though
So did I. We would just roll it around in something. About a tablespoon full. At SCHOOL. Maybe I am living on mercury poison all these years. I think I even had it in my hand. Who would be walking around with a pound and a half of mercury. Maybe a dentist?
It seems to be hush hush on how this mercury spill happened. Strange to me.
I heard on the news that the mercury was expected to be rising this week.i am personally terrified.
So how did the spill happen?
Just received these 2 warnings:
“City of Martinez Advisory Message for Hazmat Level 2 Incident
Severity: Low Type: Safety
This is a message from the Martinez Police Department. A Level 2 Hazmat incident has occured in or near the City of Martinez. Some individuals with with respiratory sensitivities may experience eye, skin, nose or throat irritation. Most people will not be affected. If irritation is experienced, please go inside and rinse any irritated area of your body with water. This is only an advisory and information only. For more information please go to http://www.cchealth.org/hazmat.”
“Level 2 Hazardous Material Public Health Advisory from Contra Costa County Health
Type: Safety Severity: Low
This is a message from Contra Costa County Health. A Public Health Advisory has been issued for areas of downtown Martinez near the Amtrak Train Station. Minor mercury contamination has been detected in the street on Marina Vista Avenue to Alhambra Avenue to Buckley Street to Berrellesa Street. Residents are advised to avoid walking in the street. If you must be in the area, please remain on the sidewalk. Cleanup will be occurring for the next several days in the area. For more information, please visit cchealth.org”
I thought mercury was a liquid. Since when do we measure liquids in pounds and not volume?
I know with water a pints a pound the world around. So guessing mercury is heavier we are talking about 1-1.5L of liquid?
Someone please correct me if I’m wrong
Mercury is measured by “flask” which is a British unit of mass or weight in the avoirdupois system (pounds and ounces as units). A “Flask” of mercury weights 76 pounds: Near room temperature, a flask of mercury occupies a volume of approximately 86.060 US fl oz.
Pounds and ounces is correct.
Mercury is a heavy metal, just like lead. The difference is mercury is liquid at room temperature whereas lead is liquid at 622 °F.
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According to CNN and MSNBC, it’s Russian sabotage.
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Spilled from the train? Or on its way to the train?
First the refinery, now the train station. These businesses should be obligated to inform the public who the responsible party is, and how the accident occurred. Accountability deters recklessness. Mayor Zorn, lets got on this.
Why so secretive as to where the spill originated? Who’s hiding this info from the public?
We used to melt lead sinkers in the garage on a Coleman stove that used white gas. The garage door was shut so our mother wouldn’t see us.
We’re still alive 50+ years later. Maybe a little slow, though. 😉
My grandma was a nurse in WW1. She used Amoniated Mercury for all sorts of infections. She cured my brothers staph when the hospital couldn’t. Its currently in Bag Balm. Strong stuff.
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