North Shore Environmental Construction’s Hazmat crew decontaminated a home in Marinette that was the site of a mercury spill. The spill happened sometime before January 12th, according to Marinette County Health and Human Services Mary Rosner R.N. The cleanup began in April. The homeowner told the Marinette County Health Department that he bought the mercury from a dentist years ago. Mercury used to be found in cavity fillings. It also used to be common in such things as thermometers, thermostats and light bulbs. It is now considered a dangerous human health hazard.
“Mercury is a neurotoxin,” explained Rosner. “It can attack people’s nervous system, the brain, their lungs and kidneys. Chronic exposure over time has severe impacts on a person.”
Mercury is the hardest on pregnant women, infants and young children and affects development and breathing. It is also associated with a host of other health issues such as anxiety, sleeping problems, tremors, blood pressure and more.
“My advice to people is if you have mercury thermometers at home, if you have old thermostats, old lightbulbs that have mercury in them, put them in containers that are not easily broken and take them to your next clean sweep,” said Rosner.
North Shore’s Hazmat crew worked wearing hazmat suits, gloves, gas masks and special footwear to detoxify both the home and garage, which is a very expensive process.
The mercury spill cleanup was completed successfully and the resident moved back into his home.
