Spill Response

1. Spill Response

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. Initial Actions • Ventilate the area • 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

6. Actions that Should not be Takenaka 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

7. Small Spill Information • Small spill: • 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

8. 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

9. Large Spill Information • Large spill: • > 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

10. 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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. Funding and Grants • LGR Program • 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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

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

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