NEWS RELEASE
Nov 3, 2000

MDCH, Utilities to Determine Extent, Potential Risk of Gas Line Regulator Mercury Spills

 

Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Director James K. Haveman, Jr. and top leadership from three of the largest gas utilities in the stateMichCon, Consumers Energy and SEMCO Energy-- will meet next week to finalize a plan to determine whether mercury contamination of homes occurred when gas line regulators were replaced and the potential for health risks as a result.

"We need to protect the health of homeowners where a spill has occurred," Haveman said. "This is especially true for children."

Over the last decade, meters have been replaced and relocated outside the home when gas mains are repaired or upgraded. Some older models of gas meters were fitted with a regulator that contained mercury. If the regulator is mis-handled during replacement, the mercury can leak out in the home. Mercury can easily vaporize and reach high air concentrations. In high concentrations, mercury is toxic when inhaled and can cause severe illness.

MichCon has been rechecking 39 homes and Consumers Energy is rechecking 14 homes where they have a documented mercury spill to assess whether further clean up is needed. Technicians from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have been accompanying the utility officials on these rechecks.

"One of the next steps is to identify how many homes have had gas line regulators removed," Haveman said. "Then we will explore ways to determine whether or not there is a risk to human health. Once we know that, we'll be able to determine whether there's a need for further testing."

Representatives of the utilities and the Department of Community Health Environmental Epidemiology Division have been meeting to develop a protocol to assess the potential public health risk. "I appreciate the cooperative atmosphere that has been evident in these meetings," Haveman said. "It is my expectation that the meeting next week will finalize that protocol and we can move forward to assure that the health of the citizens of Michigan has not been compromised."

Residents who believe mercury may have been spilled in their home when a gas line regulator was removed should contact their utility company. Other questions concerning mercury should be directed to the MDCH toxic hotline: 1-800-MITOXIC (1-800-648-6942).