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Residential mercury spills from gas regulators
Daniel Hryhorczuk1, Victoria Persky, Julie Piorkowski
1Great Lakes Center for Children's Environmental Health, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. dhryhorc@uic.edu
Environmental Health Perspectives
|June 9, 2006
Summary
Older homes may have mercury gas regulators. Their removal can cause mercury spills, leading to residential contamination and elevated urine mercury levels in some residents, particularly with higher indoor air concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Older homes often utilize mercury-containing gas regulators for natural gas pressure reduction.
- Removal of these regulators by contractors can lead to elemental mercury spills within residential environments.
Observation:
- In 2000, mercury spills were identified in Chicago-area homes post-gas regulator removal.
- Inspections revealed mercury contamination in 1,363 of 361,000 homes.
- Urine mercury screening and air monitoring were conducted in 171 homes.
Findings:
- Six homes (3.5%) showed residents with urine mercury levels >= 10 microg/L.
- Higher mercury air concentrations on the first floor were strongly associated with positive urine bioassays (OR=21.4).
- First-floor air mercury levels were more predictive of bioassays than basement levels.
Implications:
- The risk of contamination varies by gas company and contractor, with one contractor showing a significantly higher incidence.
- Awareness among gas companies, contractors, and residents is crucial for spill prevention and remediation.
- This highlights the need for careful handling and removal procedures for mercury-containing gas regulators.