Nicor Mercury Disposal Investigation: Update 8
For Immediate Release
September 27, 2000 |
Contact: Dennis McMurray
(217) 785-1871
TDD: (217) 782-9143 |
Springfield, Ill. -- Madden Mental Health Center Boiler Room
Cleared. Following additional testing and air sampling, the Illinois
EPA has concluded no mercury was present in the boiler room at Madden
Mental Health Center in Hines.
On Sept. 19, a Jerome mercury vapor reading meter used by Illinois EPA
investigators recorded a gradually rising reading that seemed suspicious.
Madden was one of several sites on a list supplied by Nicor Inc. of locations
where mercury-containing manometer devices might have been used. However,
no manometers or visible mercury was evident in the Madden boiler room
.
Subsequent Jerome meter readings by a Nicor contractor were zero. U.S.
EPA then brought in a more sensitive air vapor meter and recorded levels
barely detectible, similar to normal background concentrations and substantially
below the clearance standard.
Laboratory results came back today on a hopcalite test, which collects
air samples over an 8-hour period in a canister and sends them to a lab
for analysis. There were no mercury detections.
The facility, which has restricted access to the boiler room as a precaution,
was advised by Illinois EPA of the results and that the Sept. 19 reading
appears to be aberrant and potentially caused by the high temperatures
in the room at the time.
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