EPA seeks all who had contact with mercury

Heather Rawlyk

Friday, Jan. 23, 2004 | 9:47 a.m.

Anyone with information about what contact others may have had with Coleman and the mercury should call the health district at 383-1263.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is asking friends and acquaintances of Michael Coleman, a 17-year-old who was hospitalized last week for mercury poisoning, to call the Clark County Health District if they had contact with the teenager or the mercury he was playing with.

The EPA said Thursday that friends of Coleman's may have taken quantities of the mercury home. The EPA and Clark County officials are asking anyone with knowledge of this to call the health district.

All calls will be kept confidential, EPA officials said.

Robert Wise, on-scene coordinator for the EPA, said two children who had contact with the mercury have already come forward.

Wise urged any other children who have had contact with the mercury or took the substance home with them to come forward.

"We want all the children who took the mercury home to come forward and tell us," he said. "It's very important that they tell us as soon as possible."

Since cleanup began Jan. 10 in the block of 1400 Saylor Way, the EPA and Clark County officials have learned that someone also brought the mercury to the front yard and played with it in front of neighbors and friends.

The EPA checked the sidewalk in front of the home, which revealed a small amount of mercury contamination. Saylor Way was briefly shut down Wednesday while the area was decontaminated.

Wise said the next step is to confirm sampling of the house to see if the EPA has met their action level.

The EPA expected to finish up minor chores and demobilize this afternoon, Wise said.

Coleman's family has been relocated at the EPA's costs, Wise added.

Wise said Coleman is doing well and makes a trip his street at least once a day. Snowball, the family dog, is also doing well, Wise said.

"The family comes out here almost every day," Wise said. "Michael is doing better. He is still on medications, but he is doing better."

Coleman and family members will not be allowed inside the house until it is made safe, Wise said.