MARTINEZ — The thriller of how the poisonous substance mercury wound up at an Amtrak practice station remained unexplained Tuesday, a day after hazardous supplies crews from Contra Costa County responded to the incident.
In a social media submit Tuesday, the Contra Costa Well being Providers Division mentioned their crews labored Monday evening into the morning cleansing up the mercury, which was discovered within the parking zone. Mercury is utilized in many gadgets, together with thermometers, barometers and sphygmomanometers, however it's extremely poisonous.
A county official described the mercury spill as a “giant amount,” however the certain amount discovered was not introduced.
The practice station itself was closed Tuesday however Capitol Hall trains stopped close to the previous station depot and used the Ferry Avenue highway crossing. That would be the routine till additional discover, in accordance with an Amtrak standing replace posted Monday evening.
Seven Amtrak workers had been evacuated and medically evaluated on the scene, in accordance with Contra Costa Hearth Safety District spokesperson Steve Hill. The ambulance crew additionally was evaluated, he mentioned.
The well being division in a social media submit Tuesday mentioned anybody who thinks they could have stepped within the mercury ought to double-bag any sneakers or garments they could have been sporting and name the HazMat workforce at 925-655-3200.
In social-media posts, Amtrak’s Capitol Hall mentioned shortly earlier than 5:45 p.m. Monday that riders would make transfers on the line’s Stockton and Sacramento stations. By 8:30 p.m., a ConFire social-media submit mentioned its crews had been clearing the station’s scene, with continued cleanup from county well being and federal Environmental Safety Company employees.
ALERT: As of 4:05 PM PT, as a consequence of fireplace division exercise, trains at Martinez (MTZ) will cease close to the previous station depot and use the Ferry Avenue highway crossing till additional discover. We'll present updates as data turns into out there. #CapitolCorridor
— Capitol Hall (@CapitolCorridor) Might 8, 2023
CCH’s HazMat workforce is responding to a reported hazardous supplies spill on the Martinez practice station. The practice station is closed. Passengers will board and disembark at Ferry Avenue. CCH is carefully monitoring the scenario & will notify the general public if motion is required. pic.twitter.com/GUkNNSp0Da
— Contra Costa Well being (@CoCoHealth) Might 9, 2023
We'll share extra data when it turns into out there.
— Contra Costa Well being (@CoCoHealth) Might 9, 2023
UPDATE: As of 5:43 PM PT, as a consequence of ongoing fireplace division exercise at Martinez (MTZ), prospects will make transfers at Stockton (SKN) and Sacramento (SAC) till additional discover. #CapitolCorridor
— Capitol Hall (@CapitolCorridor) Might 9, 2023
CORRECTION: As of 5:52 PM, Resulting from ongoing fireplace division exercise at Martinez (MTZ), prospects holding connections for Practice 14, Coast Starlight, will switch at Stockton (SKN) and Sacramento (SAC).#CapitolCorridor
— Capitol Hall (@CapitolCorridor) Might 9, 2023
UPDATE: Contra Costa Well being confirmed mercury was discovered within the parking zone exterior the Amtrak practice station in Martinez. CCH has no data that anybody has been harmed. HazMat crews are nonetheless on scene https://t.co/cUxs93b0sX
— Contra Costa Well being (@CoCoHealth) Might 9, 2023
#ConFire is clearing the scene on the Amtrak Station in Martinez. The hazmat incident with Mercury has transitioned into continued evaluation and cleanup by the EPA and County Hazmat. Any extra updates will likely be offered @CoCoHealthpic.twitter.com/E8CRAGzr6k
— Con Hearth PIO (@ContraCostaFire) Might 9, 2023
Martinez Station Briefly Closed – Might 9, 2023 https://t.co/2uD2jlIXlP
— Capitol Hall (@CapitolCorridor) Might 9, 2023
Employees author Rick Hurd contributed to this story. Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.