NORTHVILLE, Mich. – Environmental Protection Agency crews are on scene at a home on Carpenter Street in Northville, cleaning up after a mercury spill from a grandfather clock’s pendulum was reported last Wednesday.
The agency responded the following morning and confirmed elevated mercury levels inside the home. Mercury is a toxic liquid metal that can release harmful vapors into the air and lead to serious neurological problems.
Recommended Videos
“What we have seen with mercury spills like this is that if it is not addressed right away, the mercury vapors will continue to spread,” said Steve Hall, a U.S. EPA Region 5 on-scene coordinator.
Local 4 learned about the activity after Deanna Strong contacted the ClickOnDetroit Help Desk, asking us to follow up to ensure residents’ safety.
“For a minor spill, it just seemed like getting bigger and bigger over the week,” Strong said in a phone interview.
Officials estimate roughly four to six ounces of mercury spilled, an amount that may not seem significant, but can cause widespread contamination because mercury can break into tiny beads and release vapors.
Hall said the agency’s process involves locating and removing the mercury, then testing the home for any remaining vapors.
“Once we’ve identified all the mercury, then we assess the house for residual mercury vapors, and then we take steps to try to reduce those vapors to a safe level,” Hall said.
Hall emphasized there is no threat to the surrounding neighborhood.
“The risk and the threat are inside the house. We are here to address the mercury that’s inside the house so it doesn’t become an issue outside,” Hall said.
Strong said that reassurance helped ease fears for nearby residents.
“Thank you for checking that out. I know all the neighbors. We appreciate that because it’s concerning when it’s right across the street from you,” she said.
The EPA did not provide a specific timeline for the cleanup, but said crews will remain on scene until the job is done.
No one is currently living at the home, so no one has been displaced.