Sirens and hazmat suits turned a Marcus Hook block into a restricted zone Tuesday after officials reported a mercury spill inside a vacant home. Emergency crews shut down the 1000 block of Yates Avenue while environmental teams checked the air for vapors and worked to secure the property. Neighbors were urged to steer clear of the immediate area as responders sized up the risk and moved into containment mode.
The Delaware County Health Department said the spill was discovered in a vacant house on the 1000 block of Yates Avenue and confirmed that emergency response and environmental assessment teams were on scene evaluating the situation, according to 6abc. Officials have not said yet how the mercury ended up in the home or what exactly was found inside.
Why mercury is hazardous and how crews respond
Elemental mercury is a shiny silver liquid that can evaporate into invisible, odorless vapors that are dangerous when breathed in, especially for children and pregnant people, according to ATSDR. The EPA notes that larger indoor spills typically call for trained hazmat teams using air monitors and specialized containment methods rather than standard household cleanup, because vacuuming or sweeping can scatter mercury droplets and boost vapor levels, according to EPA.
What residents should do
County health officials have asked residents to avoid the immediate area around the affected property while the assessment continues. If you believe you or a family member may have been exposed, contact your health care provider, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, or visit the Delaware County Health Department for local guidance and contact information.
Local context
Marcus Hook has a long industrial history, with terminals and refineries located close to residential streets, which keeps nearby communities on alert for chemical incidents, according to Marcus Hook Borough. Local and county officials said they will release more information as air-monitoring results come in and cleanup plans are finalized.
