Contra Costa Health Services say hazardous materials workers have removed nearly all mercury found in Martinez streets after last week’s spill, with a few isolated locations remaining as of Monday morning.
While the immediate health risk to the community has greatly diminished since the spill was reported, Contra Costa Health (CCH) will maintain its May 9 health advisory for Martinez until the cleanup is complete.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the lead agency directing the effort this week, as the work shifts to ensuring that every possible trace of mercury is removed to reduce harm to the environment. Crews estimate the work will continue through Friday.
Cleanup efforts this week will focus on a section of Joe DiMaggio Drive leading to the Waterfront Park Softball Field in the Martinez Marina. CCH asks the public to avoid walking in the cordoned off area until the work is completed.
Traces of mercury were also found over the weekend on Escobar Street near Pine Street. The advice in the health advisory now extends to the street (not sidewalk) on Escobar from Pine east to Marina Vista Avenue: Avoid walking in the street until further notice, and follow the instructions if you believe you may have walked through anything unusual on this roadway since May 8. CCH’s Hazardous Materials Program has visited several people who reported possible contact with mercury in Martinez streets in the past week. So far, CCH has detected no mercury on bagged shoes or articles of clothing.
The Martinez Amtrak station, where the spill was initially reported, was fully cleaned and has reopened.
A substantial amount of mercury was found May 8 in the station parking lot, where someone had illegally dumped it into a garbage can. A city crew emptied the trash can and followed their normal route in downtown Martinez, unknowingly dribbling mercury from the truck into the streets along the route, prompting the weeklong cleanup.
The source of the mercury remains under investigation by law enforcement. Anyone with
information about this incident should call the Martinez Police Department at 925-372-3440.
- May 13: Hazmat Crews Continue Making Progress Cleaning up Mercury from Martinez Streets
- May 10: City of Martinez Oversees Clean-Up Efforts of Illegally Dumped Mercury
- May 10: Mercury Found in More Locations in City of Martinez
- May 9: Downtown Martinez Mercury Contamination Larger Than Initially Believed
- May 8: HAZMAT Response Closes Martinez Amtrak Station
