MERCURY REMEDIATION & CLEANUPS

Mercury Decontamination at Turbine Manufacturer

Mercury Testing & Remediation

◆ Mercury Testing ◆ Mercury Remediation ◆ Mercury Cleanups ◆ Mercury Spill Cleanup ◆ Mercury Safety Programs

Remtech Engineers provides mercury testing, mercury vapor monitoring, mercury spill cleanup, and mercury remediation services for schools, hospitals, laboratories, industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and residential properties. Remtech has more than 40 years of experience in elemental mercury cleanup and hazardous material remediation, beginning with early environmental response projects in the 1970s. Our mercury remediation methodologies were developed by board-certified site remediation and hazardous waste management engineers recognized by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.

Mercury contamination can create serious health and environmental risks, particularly when elemental mercury vaporizes and contaminates indoor environments.

Sources of Elemental Mercury Contamination

Elemental mercury has historically been used in a wide range of industrial equipment, medical devices, laboratory instruments, and building materials. Mercury contamination may occur in Health care facilities and hospitals, Schools and universities, Industrial and manufacturing facilities, Commercial buildings, Residential properties, and Laboratories and research facilities

Common items containing mercury include Electrical equipment and switches, Thermometers and laboratory instruments, Blood pressure monitors (sphygmomanometers), Mercury vapor lighting systems, Barometers and scientific instruments, Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), Thermostats and mercury switches, Aviation instrumentation, Laboratory reagents, Industrial catalysts used in flooring and manufacturing, and Dental amalgam fillings. Mercury contamination may also occur from coal-fired power plant emissions, industrial processes, or equipment failures.

Health Risks of Mercury Vapor Exposure

Elemental mercury can sublimate from a liquid or solid state into an invisible vapor, creating inhalation hazards inside contaminated buildings.

Mercury vapor exposure can affect the Nervous system, Brain function, Kidneys and lungs, Respiratory system, and Developing fetuses. Symptoms of mercury exposure include Irritability and behavioral changes, Tremors, Vision or hearing impairment, and Memory loss and cognitive effects. Since mercury vapor has no odor or visible warning properties, specialized mercury detection instruments such as Lumex meters are required to identify contamination levels.

Mercury Remediation

Remedial measures include direct capture of elemental mercury with mercury vacuums equipped with mercury traps, conversion of elemental mercury to less toxic mercuric salts with sulfur containing reagents like HGX, using amalgamation agents like Mercsorb to coalesce attract elemental mercury, and thermal desorption. Recommended elemental mercury cleanup levels are less than 1 ug/cm for residential areas and 3 ug/cm for commercial facilities.