MERCURY SPILL CLEANUP SERVICES

Elemental mercury spills can be hazardous and require immediate attention to protect residents and visitors. Inadequate mercury spill cleanup can pose serious health risks and require mercury removal by a professional. HazChem’s Emergency Rapid Response Team and mercury spill experts specialize in mercury spill cleanup services and mercury disposal, offering over 30 years of service nationwide.

Our distinguished mercury response team is highly reliable, possessing an in-depth understanding of the complexities associated with mercury spill cleanup and mercury removal. Our team of professionals conducts a meticulous assessment of the mercury spill site, formulates a comprehensive decontamination plan, and mitigates the risks and liabilities associated with mercury exposure. We strictly adhere to guidelines set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to ensure a thorough mercury cleanup process. This guarantees the complete removal of spilled mercury from the contaminated area and the elimination of harmful mercury vapors from the surrounding air.

What is Mercury?

Mercury is a chemical element. On the periodic table, the symbol for mercury is Hg. Mercury is a dense, silvery metal element that remains in liquid form at room temperature. When a mercury spill occurs, the liquid mercury tends to bead and spreads easily into many small droplets. Mercury droplets adhere to both horizontal and vertical surfaces, and infiltrate cracks and crevices. The mercury droplets can vaporize into the surrounding air depending upon the amount spilled, surface area, temperature (vapor increases with warmer air), air flow and physical disturbance of the spilled mercury. Mercury vapors are invisible, odorless and highly toxic at elevated levels, causing harm to the nervous system, cardiovascular system, digestive tract and kidneys. Quick and safe mercury spill cleanup using emergency mercury spill kits for safe mercury disposal is critical to prevent illness. Given that even minor mercury spills can generate unsafe levels of mercury vapors that are unsafe to breathe, mercury spill cleanup should be left to experts. HazChem’s extensive experience and state-of-the-art mercury spill kit equipment enable us to detect, test and confirm the presence of mercury, to handle mercury spill decontamination or mercury removal projects of any scale. OSHA offers additional insight and guidelines for mercury spill cleanup.

What is Mercury Used For?

Our mercury cleanup services cover various locations, including:

 

• Doctor’s Offices
• Laboratories
• Government Facilities
• Retail Establishments
• Manufacturing Facilities
• Schools
• Medical Clinics
• Utilities
• Streets and Highways
• Chemical plants
• Historic Buildings
• Hospitals
• Dental Offices
• Vehicles
• Ships

Common Uses of Mercury

Mercury finds widespread use in numerous applications. It is used in thermometers, barometers, float valves, mercury switches, mercury relays, manometers, compact fluorescent lightbulbs, blood pressure monitors, aviation instrumentation, mercury vapor lights, laboratory reagents, and other devices. Mercury is also used in grandfather clocks, gas regulators, and thermostats.

Mercury Spill Clean Up Services – Mercury Spill Kits

• Testing, confirmation, and isolation through mercury spill kits
• Mercury spill cleanup
• Decontamination of released mercury vapors
• Mercury control and abatement, involving the removal of all contaminated materials
• Disposal of all materials contaminated by mercury

All members of HazChem’s Emergency Rapid Response Team and our mercury spill experts wear respirators equipped with mercury vapor cartridges and undergo “Level C Protection.” Furthermore, they have undergone Mercury Awareness Training as well as Hazardous Materials Worker Training.

The Dangers of Mercury

Mercury spills entail numerous dangers, as exposure to mercury can be highly detrimental, and in some cases, fatal. At HazChem, we possess the expertise to safely manage and clean up mercury spills. According to the WHO and  Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, metallic or liquid mercury, in its simplest form, is not readily absorbed by the human body through touch. However, it vaporizes at room temperatures, and inhalation of mercury vapors can severely harm one’s health. At high levels, mercury may damage the brain, kidneys, and developing fetus. Additionally, other organs can be impacted by mercury exposure:

Impact of Mercury on the Brain

• Trouble remembering
• Difficulty sleeping
• Changes in mood, like feeling cranky, nervous, tired, or shy
• Numbness in the hands and feet
• Trembling (shaking)
• Problems with muscle coordination (tripping, dropping things, falling down)

How Mercury Affects the Mouth

• Metallic taste
• Swollen gums
• Excessive salivation or drooling

Impact of Mercury on the Lungs

• Coughing
• Chest pain during breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Lung damage

How Mercury Affects the Stomach & Intestines

• Nausea
• Upset stomach
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite

Impact of Mercury on the Skin

• Red, itchy rashes
• Peeling of the skin on the hands and feet

How Mercury Impacts Reproductive System

• Mercury poisoning poses a particular danger to unborn babies (fetuses)

Unfortunately, mercury vapors have no warning signs. Mercury vapors are invisible, odorless and heavier than air, making Inhalation extremely dangerous.

In the Event of a Mercury Spill 

• DO NOT use a vacuum cleaner for mercury removal or mercury cleanup, as the exhaust of the vacuum can disperse more mercury vapors into the air.
• DO NOT use a broom to clean up a mercury spill, as it can break the mercury into smaller beads, causing further spreading and increased mercury vapor production.
• DO NOT allow individuals whose footwear has come into contact with the spilled mercury to venture beyond the spill area. Isolation of the affected area is crucial to prevent additional mercury contamination.
• DO NOT dispose of mercury in the trash.
• DO NOT pour or allow mercury to enter drains.

MERCURY REMOVAL – MERCURY SPILL KITS

 

For mercury spills at your business premises, CALL HazChem Environmental at 630-458-1910. We can provide assistance in proper handling, packaging, recycling, and disposal of mercury spills. We possess expertise in utilizing specialized mercury cleanup testing instruments and mercury spill kits. Your health and safety are our utmost priority, and therefore, we take immediate measures to minimize your exposure to any toxic mercury vapor and prevent mercury poisoning.

Note: HazChem does not provide residential mercury cleanup services.

SUPER-FAST 60-Minute Response Time

 

We understand the urgent and critical nature of your call for service. Our Emergency Rapid Response Teams are ready, willing and able to respond quickly to remedy your emergency situation. Our Emergency Response Vehicles are pre-loaded with 90% of the equipment needed for any emergency situation. The final 10% will be added for your particular needs. This advance preparation enables us to deploy a Team within 60 minutes or less from our facility. Based upon our clients’ feedback, this is far better than the typical response time from most of our competitors. Their response is usually measured in multiple hours, and sometimes days or even weeks. Our Team is always ready to deploy, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, rain or shine, including holidays. We do not rely on automated answering systems for our main phone line (630) 458-1910. Instead, we guarantee that a live person will answer your call, regardless of whether it is a weekend, holiday, or any other day.

 HazChem offers Emergency Response Teams as well as other Hazardous Waste Removal and Emergency Spill Response.

View other available services provided by HazChem.