Mercury spill in New Ulm calls for hazardous materials cleanup
Trending
NEW ULM--A hazardous materials team was called to the North 100 block of Payne and Garden this morning to clean up a mercury spill.
A local waste hauler noticed the mercury spill in a waste container and alerted authorities around 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Police immediately blocked that alley to prevent public access.
Mercury is a silvery, liquid metal at room temperature, but like water, mercury can evaporate and become airborne. Its vapors are dangerous to inhale because they are toxic to the human nervous system. The cold temperatures are preventing the mercury outside from vaporizing.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has not been able to verify the amount of mercury spilled at this time. Authorities believe a property owner removed about two gallons of mercury from his home, disposing of it in the trash. About one gallon spilled in the trash container, but this amount has not been confirmed by MPCA.
New Ulm Public Safety Department will be holding a press conference this afternoon to address the spill. Further updates will be made as more information becomes available.