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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: October 20, 2004
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

DEM, PAWTUCKET FIRE AND POLICE RESPOND TO MERCURY SPILL IN NEW ENGLAND GAS CO. FACILITY
Missing Mercury Poses Health Concerns; Anyone With Knowledge About the Material Asked to Contact Pawtucket Police or Fire Departments

PROVIDENCE -- The Department of Environmental Management late yesterday was notified by Clean Harbors of a large mercury spill at a New England Gas Co. facility located on Tidewater Street in Pawtucket. DEM then notified the Pawtucket Fire and Police Departments, and has been working in conjunction with the two municipal departments on the incident.

Late Tuesday morning, a gas company maintenance worker discovered that vandals had broken into the unoccupied facility, turning over and breaking numerous glass jars containing elemental mercury. Smashed jars and mercury were found scattered inside the facility, and a small amount of mercury was found outside the building. The soil that was contaminated with the mercury has been removed, leaving no long-term environmental effects on the property.

It is not known how many jars or how much mercury was being stored inside the building. However, Clean Harbors, the clean-up contractor, has thus far removed more than 10 pounds of mercury from the site. The mercury was being stored in 13-ounce wide-mouth glass containers with white lids. Elemental mercury is heavy and has the appearance of silver beads. The material is highly toxic and attacks the central nervous system. Children and developing fetuses are particularly sensitive to these effects. People should not handle the material.

The Pawtucket Police and Fire Departments believe the vandals may have taken some of the mercury from the site. The Departments are trying to locate the material in an effort to minimize human health and safety concerns. Anyone who has seen the mercury or has any knowledge of the whereabouts of the material should contact the Pawtucket Police Department by calling Detective Jack McIlmail at 727-9100 ext. 746; if there is no answer call ext. 712. Individuals may also contact the Pawtucket Fire Department at 725-1423 with information concerning the mercury.

Information about mercury and its effects on the environment and human health can be found on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Topics", then "Mercury" from the homepage.

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