Potential Mercury Exposure Risks in Puerto Rico on the Job and in the Built Environment

Mercury is described by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a naturally-occurring chemical element found in rock in the earth’s crust, including in deposits of coal. It exists in several forms including elemental (metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, methylmercury, and other organic compounds.

Most people don’t recognize that they come in close proximity to products and materials that may contain mercury on a regular basis, and that it only takes a small amount to pose a serious health risk.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) cautions that mercury is used in many industries. It’s used to produce chlorine gas and caustic soda, and in thermometers, barometers, batteries, and electrical switches. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also lists manometers, gauges, valves, and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, along with its use in preservatives, heat transfer technology, pigments, catalysts, and lubricating oils.

Some examples of workers at potential risk of being exposed to mercury include the following, according to NIOSH:

• Workers in facilities where electrical equipment is manufactured
• Workers in fluorescent light bulb (CFL) recycling facilities
• Workers in facilities where automotive parts are manufactured
• Workers in chemical processing plants that use mercury
• Workers in medical, dental, or other health services who work with equipment that contains mercury
• Dentists and their assistants when breathing in mercury vapor released from amalgam fillings

“Mercury can also be an exposure concern in residential environments if older thermometers, fluorescent light bulbs, science project kits, or other items containing it are damaged,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “It was even used in many water-based paints as a preservative until its use was discontinued in 1991.”

At room temperature, exposed elemental mercury can evaporate to become an invisible, odorless toxic vapor. Even low level exposure to mercury over time can be a health threat. Fortunately, the industrial hygiene and indoor air quality professionals at Zimmetry Environmental are experts at testing for mercury and other heavy metals from material and air samples. They also recently sponsored an educational video about mercury exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/-xa0OEDFiD0

To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, and compliance testing and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005, or email info@zimmetry.com .

About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail