WENTZVILLE, Mo (KMOX) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to remove contaminated materials from homes in Wentzville and has tested area schools after a child was hospitalized with mercury poisoning.
EPA Region 7 says children were playing with and spilled a small vial of elemental mercury about five months ago. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) performed an initial mercury vapor screening of the child’s residence on Oct. 30.
At room temperature, exposed elemental mercury can evaporate to become an invisible, odorless toxic vapor. The effects of mercury exposure can range from very severe to subtle, depending on the person's age and length of exposure – it typically effects children and infants more severely. Symptoms of mercury poisoning include loss of peripheral vision, "pins and needles" feelings, usually in the hands, feet, and around the mouth, lack of coordination of movements, impairment of speech, hearing, walking and muscle weakness.
Two other homes in Wentzville were found to have high levels of mercury vapors. All residents of the affected homes were relocated as EPA and MoDNR response crews remove contaminated personal items and materials from the homes to decrease mercury vapor concentrations.
Crews have completed assessments at six schools in the Wentzville School District identified as potential locations for mercury contamination from the spill. All of the schools assessed were found not to be contaminated with mercury.
Mercury can be very difficult to clean up and is extremely hard to get out of clothes, furniture, carpet, floors, walls, and other porous items. Once spilled, mercury beads can scatter and settle into nooks and cracks in the floor. Do not vacuum up spilled mercury, because it will vaporize and increase exposure. Never put mercury-contaminated clothing in a washing machine. Bag clothes and shoes and put them outside in the sun.
Anyone with concerns about mercury exposure should consult their physician and/or their poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
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