SET is a national leader in providing superior Mercury Decontamination Services and Mercury Screening Services in both private residences, medical and commercial facilities. Since the year 2000, we have screened more than 10,000 homes and decontaminated hundreds of residential, medical, and commercial facilities. In fact, we have successfully decontaminated and remediated more Mercury-contaminated residences, medical and commercial facilities than any other environmental services firm in the country.
SET's Mercury Decontamination Services are designed to meet indoor air quality standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), as well as soil and groundwater remediation objectives dictated by the EPA in 40 CFR (from the US Code of Federal Regulations). We approach every project with professionalism and a focus on reducing customer liability.
Mercury is a very challenging substance to collect and cleanup objectives must be extremely conservative and thorough. SET's Mercury Decontamination Services decontaminate and remediate your Mercury problem the first time we clean. By successfully clearing a site after the first attempt, we help you maintain the safest environment possible, avoid potential long-term hazards associated with Mercury contamination, and help you reduce short- and long-term costs.
Types of Mercury Wastes We Collect
SET is able to collect most metallic Mercury-containing instruments, including meters, manometers, thermometers and more. We are also able to take care of most of the inorganic Mercury salts and salt solutions, such as mercuric chloride and mercuric sulfate, as well as organic Mercury wastes, such as phenylmercuric acetate. If in small quantities, we can lab pack Mercury waste or put it into drums and profile it as part of a waste stream — whatever works best for you and your situation.
Hopcalite Testing, Lumex Screening, and Reporting Services
As Mercury is a highly toxic and volatile material, it is important that all testing and screening is done thoroughly and accurately. Our highly effective Hopcalite testing process involves our experienced, well-trained staff operating in accordance with NIOSH method 6009. This method requires raising the temperature of the affected area to ensure any minute volumes of mercury will be volatized and captured during the testing process. SET also provides initial Mercury screening with Lumex mercury vapor analyzers — demonstrated to be the best available technology — and we ensure our fleet of mercury vapor analyzers are calibrated before and after every service event.
When our mercury remediation team is with you on site, SET project managers keep you continuously informed on the cleanup process, so you know exactly how long the area will be off-limits and what additional remedial actions may be required. SET personnel undergo hundreds of hours of apprenticeship in a classroom setting as well as in the field before they are qualified to become mercury remediation, project managers. Upon successful project completion, SET is able to provide comprehensive reporting services to help you ensure compliance with all local, state and federal regulatory agencies.
What To Do If Mercury Spills
In the event of a Mercury spill or a suspected spill, it is critical that swift action be taken as the substance is corrosive in liquid form and toxic if inhaled or ingested. We recommend the following steps be taken as soon as possible:
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Identify impacted areas and evacuate immediately.
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Isolate the affected area (HVAC, pedestrian foot traffic, sewers, or water runoff). Use caution tape to tape off the affected area immediately.
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Notify anyone that was present in the area of the Mercury spill. They should have their clothes bagged and alternative clothing is provided to them before they leave the site. Notify the facility manager. If the spill is an RQ event (Reportable Quantity Release), notify appropriate local, state, and federal agencies.
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Compile a list of names of all the people that were present at the time of the suspected Mercury spill. All of those people must be contacted as soon as possible so that any cross-contamination can be contained.
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Call SET and speak to one of our customer service representatives immediately to have any urgent questions answered and to schedule immediate remediation for all affected areas.