THE CLEAN UP HAS BEGUN

CLEAN UP CREWS SUIT UP & CLEAN UP

Officials from The Ohio EPA and Inland Waters of Ohio were cleaning out the Butternut Ridge Road home that was contaminated with mercury.
James Boddy, Director of Environmental Health with the Lorain County General Health District, said he was on Butternut this afternoon just to talk to neighbors and quell any fears they may have from the spill. “We have been going around to the neighboring houses talking to people letting them know what is going on and why all the vehicles are here today. We have been leaving business cards on doors when nobody is home with a note encouraging them to contact our office if they have any questions about what is happening.”

Boddy wants to make it clear to people that there is no risk to the neighbors around this house. “The contamination is confined to the house and there is really no reason to worry about air because it wouldn’t be measurable in regular atmosphere and there is certainly no contamination of ground water from all indications. Most of the residents in this area are served by city water so water contamination is not an issue and air is not a problem. There really isn’t a risk to the community."

Boddy said that the clean up crews are airing out the home and isolating the location of the spill. “Once they have found the location of the mercury spill they will remove the mercury with special equipment, get it out of the house and then allow the house to rest over the weekend. They will return next week and re-test and see if there are any other problems”

If you live in the area of the area of the home and you have questions for the Health Department you can contact them at 440.322.6367.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE