News Releases - 2000

Illinois EPA Investigating Salvage Yard Sites For Mercury Contamination

Springfield, Ill. -- Illinois Environmental Protection Agency teams are investigating the disposal of gas meter regulators from Nicor Corp. at salvage facilities.

"Illinois EPA is working closely with the Illinois Attorney General's Office and the Cook County State's Attorney's office to gather evidentiary information and air and soil sampling to determine whether any potential health hazard exists," said Illinois EPA Director Tom Skinner.

Illinois EPA regional Emergency Response Unit staff began air sampling at a salvage yard in Chicago Heights late Thursday night and continued this morning. Readings for mercury were taken near two piles of regulators and two tanks containing regulators at the yard and low levels below thresholds for immediate health concerns were found. No mercury was found in the air in the office at the site.

Illinois EPA is continuing to seek information from Nicor on other salvage facilities that have received regulators and will determine what other facilities should be visited to check disposal practices and mercury levels. "Illinois EPA staff will be working through the Labor Day weekend if necessary to continue the investigation," Director Skinner noted. The agency has three meters that measure mercury levels in the air. Illinois EPA teams will be coordinating their activities with staff from U.S. EPA Region 5.

Illinois EPA has asked Nicor to delay any removal of the regulators or other "cleanup" activities at the salvage facilities while the investigation is still underway.

Another Illinois EPA team today observed environmental contractors' personnel as they cleaned up homes previously contaminated with mercury spilled from the regulators. The team conducted independent air measurements and also observed whether disposal of filters, household materials and other items were properly stored, labeled and transported, according to state and federal regulatory requirements.