Who Cleans Up Mercury Spills?

Mercury is a heavy metal that has adverse effects on humans and the environment. Some of the health effects that mercury poses to humans include breathing difficulty, headache, weight loss, exhaustion, kidney damage, chest pain, indecision, and damage to the nervous system.

On the other hand, when mercury is released into the environment, it accumulates in water and converts to methylmercury which enters the food chain.

Mercury is also non-biodegradable and can be transported in the air over long distances. That is why mercury needs to be handled with extreme care, and in case of a spill, it needs to be cleaned by a reputable mercury clean-up expert.

What Is Mercury Cleanup?

Mercury clean-up is the process of removing mercury spills to reduce its impact on human health and the environment. It is a complex process that requires the expertise of well-trained, well-equipped personnel.

As mentioned, mercury is a toxic heavy metal whose effects are detrimental to humans. Liquid mercury usually changes to vapor at room temperature, and when inhaled, it can damage the lungs, brain, and kidneys.

Mercury clean-up needs to be done properly and thoroughly using specialized equipment to reduce its impact on human health and the environment.

Who Cleans Up Mercury Spills?

Mercury spills are one of the most complex spills to clean. Unlike other types of spills, mercury spills cannot be removed using a vacuum cleaner or a broom because it will spread even further. Mercury clean-up requires the use of specialized equipment in all steps, including detection, containment, clean-up, and follow-up.

As a result, mercury spill clean-up should only be done by highly skilled and experienced professionals such as environmental protection agencies and experienced mercury remediation companies like Midwest Environmental.

this is because they are trained to handle hazardous materials like mercury and have the necessary resources and skills to successfully contain and clean up mercury spills.

What Are the Steps of Mercury Cleanup?

Mercury clean-up is a complex process that involves various steps, as discussed below:

Step 1: Site Inspection

The first step to mercury clean-up is site inspection. Once a mercury spill is reported, the clean-up company will send its expert to come and assess the site to determine the extent of contamination.

This process is done using complex tools that can accurately detect mercury contamination.

Step 2: Mercury Containment

If the cleanup team finds out that mercury is spreading, they will immediately initiate a containment measure. This includes installing cut-off walls and physical barriers to prevent mercury from spreading even further.

Step 3: Cleanup

Once appropriate containment measures have been put in place, the clean-up team will start the cleaning. This process is complex and requires the use of specialized cleaning equipment to remove all mercury spills.

Proper protective gear is also used to prevent contamination. The technique will use will depend on various factors, including the location of the spill, the extent of contamination, and state regulations.

For instance, if the contamination is the yard soil, the clean-up team may employ techniques such as soil washing or use appropriate chemicals in order to lower mercury concentration to acceptable levels.

Step 4: Follow Up

The final step involves monitoring the entire clean-up process to ensure that the process is thorough. If traces of mercury are detected after clean-up, the clean-up team will clean the affected area again.

The clean-up team will take samples regularly for analysis for several weeks before concluding that the clean-up was a success and declare the area as “mercury-free”.

What Should I Do in Case of a Mercury Spill?

If mercury spills, you should not do anything to the spill area. Instead, you should call an experienced and reputable mercury spill clean-up expert immediately to do the job for you. You can cause more damage if you attempt to clean the spill on your own. Other things to do include:

• Get people who are close out of the spill area
• Cover the spill site with plastic
• If the spill is indoors, open all windows and doors to ensure proper circulation of air
• Close all air vents to minimize the spread of contamination
• Do not sweep or vacuum the spill

Is Hiring a Professional Mercury Cleanup Expert Worth It?

If you have just detected a mercury spill in your business or property, you could be wondering whether it is worth it to hire a professional clean-up contractor. Our simple answer is yes. Hiring a professional mercury clean-up contractor is worth it.

Mercury clean-up requires experience, technical expertise, and the right tools. For instance, you need to use equipment that is sensitive enough to detect even a small amount of mercury in the air. That can only be possible if you hire a professional.

Professional clean-up experts have many years of experience in dealing with mercury clean-ups. They know how to stop the spread. They know the tools to use to remove mercury. They know the safety rules to follow to keep everyone safe during the clean-up.

When an item that contains mercury breaks, mercury vapor will get into the air and stay there for an extended period. If the cleaning is not done properly, then people around can suffer from mercury poisoning.

Although hiring a professional contractor can be expensive, it is worth it because you are guaranteed that mercury will be contained to acceptable levels.

Final Thoughts

Proper mercury cleanup is vital in case of a spill. But due to the delicate nature of mercury clean-up, it is advised that you hire a professional who is highly skilled, experienced, and equipped with the right clean-up tools.