Mercury Spill Cleanup Completed on Putnam Road in Killingly, Conneticut

(Killingly, Conneticut - April 9, 2007) - E.P.A. has completed its cleanup of a mercury spill discovered on Putnam Road in Killingly.

Last week, E.P.A. pulled up sections of Putnam Road and used a small excavator to carefully scrape 15 yards of material from a 40 x twelve foot area beneath the roadway where the mercury pool had been spotted. The contaminated material was shipped off location for disposal at a permitted facility. During the excavation activities, E.P.A. monitored the air to ensure that people were not being exposed to traces of mercury vapor. With EPA's work completed, the town of Kingly has repaired and reopened Putnam Road. E.P.A. will continue to work closely with Connecticut DEP to determine if there is a need for further investigation.

With regard to the start of the fishing season on April 21st, DEP and DPH continue to evaluate whether portions of the 5 Mile River and its tributaries will need to remain closed to fishing. More information will be accessible in the coming days. In the meantime, people should avoid this area while the investigation continues.

Elemental mercury is a liquid form heavier than water; 2 tablespoons weigh about one pound.

More information:

EPA's mercury spill advice (epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/mercury/faq/spills.htm)
Northeast District Department of Health - Linda J. Colangelo, (860) 774-7350 x 14
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection - Dwayne Gardner, (860) 424-3938

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