Portable Mercury Detector Testing and Evaluation Report
Citation:
Archer, J., A. Touati, AND S. McDonald. Portable Mercury Detector Testing and Evaluation Report. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, EPA/600/R-20/019, 2020.
Impact/Purpose:
The purpose of this project was to provide the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Homeland Security Research Program (HSRP) with credible information on the selection and implementation of technologies to protect human health and the environment during a remediation effort following an intentional or unintentional catastrophic event or release to the environment. This goal was achieved by testing and evaluating multiple monitors capable of detecting mercury (Hg) in the ambient air. These portable monitors are used by the EPA’s emergency response on-scene coordinators (OSC) to characterize Hg spills and provide air monitoring data when clearing residential and commercial buildings after Hg cleanups.
Description:
Responding to an accident, fire, or deliberate chemical release can potentially expose first responders to harmful levels of toxic or corrosive chemicals. Additionally, following a contaminant release indoors, it is essential to protect the public health and provide a clearance determination following cleanup efforts. To minimize such exposures, first responders and emergency management professionals need reliable, sensitive, and portable monitoring devices that can rapidly indicate the presence of chemical hazards. The purpose of this work was to test and evaluate multiple Hg detectors that can detect Hg in the ambient air. These portable monitors are used by the EPA OSC community to obtain data for clearing residential and commercial buildings after Hg cleanups. The project goal was to determine which instruments meet the detection and sensitivity requirements for assisting with a clearance determination using the ATSDR recommended action level of 1 µg/m.