Mercury Spill In Downtown Houston, HFD Responds At Mid Main Lofts

HOUSTON, TX — Houston Fire Department and hazmat crews responded to calls of a chemical spill at an Mid Main Lofts apartment complex at 3550 Main on Monday morning. A male resident told crews that he had about 2 pounds of mercury in his apartment. He said his girlfriend had the jar and dropped it in the apartment on Friday.

The apartment has been checked out and tests show unacceptable levels of mercury on the fifth floor, which has been evacuated. Other floors are being checked out as a precaution.

Multiple people have been checked out. Two firefighters were exposed and gear was contaminated and must be replaced. The firefighters tested for low levels of mercury but nothing significant to their heath.

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So far no one has been transported to the hospital.

Mercury is a naturally-occurring chemical element, a heavy silvery-white metal that is liquid at ordinary temperature. According to the World Health Organization, mercury is toxic to human health, posing a particular threat to the development of the child in utero and early in life.

Mercury exists in various forms: elemental (or metallic); inorganic (e.g. mercuric chloride); and organic (e.g., methyl- and ethylmercury), which all have different toxic effects, including on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, and on lungs, kidneys, skin and eyes.

Photo via Associated Press