Martinez: County health officials warn residents after mercury spill

byDuc Manh •
0

MARTINEZ — County officers warned Tuesday that residents and guests ought to keep away from sure downtown streets till residue from a uncommon and important mercury spill has been safely eliminated.

Contra Costa Health officials shared an image Tuesday, May 9, 2023 of a map tracking downtown Martinez, Calif. streets where hazardous materials crews found traces of mercury from a spill Monday at the Amtrak train station on Marina Vista Avenue along a route leading to the city public works yard. (Courtesy Google and Contra Costa Health)
Contra Costa Well being officers shared a picture Tuesday, Might 9, 2023 of a map monitoring downtown Martinez, Calif. streets the place hazardous supplies crews discovered traces of mercury from a spill Monday on the Amtrak prepare station on Marina Vista Avenue alongside a route resulting in the town public works yard. (Courtesy Google and Contra Costa Well being)

Round 3 p.m. Monday, the county well being division’s hazardous supplies staff responded to a report of the spill  within the Amtrak prepare station’s parking zone, 601 Marina Vista Ave. Contra Costa Fireplace paramedics had been on the station for a previous medical name, however noticed and acknowledged mercury on the bottom. Crews then discovered mercury contained in the prepare station itself.

By Tuesday afternoon, staff members working with federal Environmental Safety Company employees discovered extra mercury on the street and gutters alongside a five-block route from the station. These quantities weren't anticipated to trigger instant well being dangers, however might have an effect on folks and animals who stroll via the realm and monitor the mercury indoors to houses and companies.

County well being division deputy director Matt Kaufman, who joined different officers at a press convention Tuesday night time, stated the extent of the spill’s unfold from a rubbish can exterior the station grew to become clearer after officers discovered that metropolis upkeep crews had emptied the trash can into the again of a rubbish truck round 9 a.m. Monday.

“That truck continued on its designated route, the place we now have discovered contamination on the street,” Kaufman stated partly, including that employees had been working with Martinez police to find out how the mercury bought into the rubbish can, and with different well being employees to determine how a lot was dumped past an estimate of 1 to one-and-a-half kilos.

In a press release earlier Tuesday, county well being officer Dr. Ori Tzvieli stated that “from a well being standpoint, our main concern is that individuals don’t step within the mercury on the road and convey it inside their houses the place indoor vapors could pose a well being hazard.” As soon as indoors, such vapors can accumulate and even focus with publicity to hotter temperatures and restricted air circulation.

On the press convention Tuesday, Tzvieli added that spill-related well being issues solely occur with important publicity over a short while or decrease ranges over an extended time, with signs that would embrace “feeling anxious, headache, diminished urge for food, trembling and reminiscence issues.”

Affected spill areas embrace the prepare station and parking zone, which have been closed since Monday afternoon, Marina Vista Avenue from the station and Alhambra Avenue, Alhambra from Marina Vista to Buckley Avenue, Buckley from Alhambra to Berrellessa Avenue and Berrellessa from Buckley north to the town’s public works yard.

In a press release Wednesday, well being division staffers stated a resident’s name alerted them to extra mercury close to Rankin Park, the place Buckley Avenue hits a lifeless finish. A hazardous-materials crew responded and cleaned the road but additionally checked the park, the place they didn't discover any mercury. Well being staffers later discovered that the rubbish truck had additionally visited Rankin Park on Monday, and up to date an earlier issued map of the truck’s route to incorporate the affected dead-end roadway.

Per a county-issued neighborhood warning system alert Tuesday night time, residents in these areas are urged to make use of sidewalks and keep away from strolling within the roadway.

“We do know that some folks do prefer to stroll round within the a part of the marina, because it’s actually stunning. These streets are kind of bordering that space, with folks coming or going from the prepare station,” Kaufman stated partly.

“We expect the danger to the neighborhood could be very low, however … we needed to provide these folks all the knowledge that we've to allow them to make their decisions.”

Anybody who walked alongside these streets Monday or Tuesday who could stepped in what seemed like a shiny or silvery liquid ought to keep away from touching any uncovered gadgets, bringing them indoors or attempting to wash them by hand or with a washer. Any such gadgets ought to be positioned in a bag, which ought to then be sealed and positioned inside a second bag after which left exterior, away from others. Individuals ought to then name the hazardous-materials employees at 925-655-3200.

Cleanup on the prepare station and downtown streets was anticipated to proceed into Thursday, with the station remaining closed and trains dropping off and selecting up passengers on the outdated prepare depot on Ferry Highway.

Taking questions from journalists Tuesday night time, Kaufman stated the county has had mercury spills earlier than, however referred to as them uncommon and referenced a earlierMarch 2017spill alongside Manzanita Method in Antioch. “Usually, what we see is small quantities of mercury spilled,” he stated.

“What we visualized yesterday on the prepare station could be what I contemplate a major spill of mercury, based mostly on the preliminary accounts and seeing photos and photographs of the quantity of mercury that was within the gutters and on road surfaces.”

Kaufman stated their work with state fish and wildlife division and regional water-quality management board staffers led them to imagine “a few of the mercury did discover its option to a storm drain. Nonetheless, we’re uncertain at this time limit if that storm drain results in a waterway.” He added that crews will monitor air alongside the spill areas in coming days, given anticipated hotter climate that would have an effect on mercury vapor presence. Kaufman added that the county has three family hazardous-waste amenities the place residents could eliminate waste, together with small quantities of mercury, without spending a dime.

Mercury is discovered in several gadgets, together with medical gear resembling thermometers and blood strain cuffs or objects like switches, however Kaufman stated the quantity discovered was greater than could be utilized in a single thermometer and should have come from an industrial setting.

Employees author Rick Hurd contributed to this report. Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post