Three youths investigated after mercury theft, spill

By Jason E. Silvers

The Fort Scott Tribune

PITTSBURG -- The Pittsburg Police Department has identified three suspects in the case of a mercury spill on Monday at a local skate park.

Three juveniles between the ages of 14 and 17, whose names have not been released, have been identified as suspects in the case, which involved the spilling of the toxic liquid metal at the Pitt Skate Park in Schlanger Park.

Deputy Chief Brent Narges confirmed Tuesday that none of the three suspects are currently in custody, and that the suspects frequently used the bike and skate ramp at the park.

Narges said Wednesday that Environmental Protection Agency officials, local health department staff, Pittsburg police and fire departments, and other state and federal agencies, have been working since Monday in a joint effort to investigate the case.

Screenings of about 40 homes in the Pittsburg area where children live who are known to have played at the park during or after the time of the spill, as well as screenings of local school buildings, have continued since Tuesday. No major health issues were detected during those screenings, which were conducted to determine if mercury had been carried back to homes and schools on children's clothing or belongings.

"Numerous people who have been scanned or tested with special instruments by the Crawford County Health Department to determine whether mercury is on their clothing or on their person," Narges said. "About 80 folks have been tested in that manner."

Narges added that numerous vehicles belonging to residents of inspected homes have also been tested for evidence of mercury. After undergoing testing, all homes and vehicles were released to their owners, Narges said.

Officials screened about 12 more homes in the area on Wednesday. Narges said Wednesday that a Hazardous Materials team was working on a decontamination plan for two "hot spots" where traces of mercury were discovered; the Pitt Skate Park and a local warehouse owned by the Kansas City Southern Railway.

"They're working on that as we speak," Narges said. "They're assessing the extent of how much (mercury) is there and proposing an action plan for the cleanup effort."

Investigators said the source of the spilled mercury is believed to be a container housed in the Kansas City Southern Railway-owned building. Local police said that on Sunday, juveniles entered the building without permission and obtained an unknown quantity of mercury from a barrel at the site. The juveniles then poured the toxic liquid metal on the surface of the nearby skate park, authorities said.

Narges said he is not sure how the juveniles entered the building or how they obtained access to barrels containing the hazardous material.

"Teenagers will be teenagers," he said. "They'll find a way to get in. I don't know if the doors were locked. I don't have the details on that."

Crawford County Health Department officials said at least 53 people may have been exposed to mercury before the playground at the skate park was closed off.

Narges said that police have contacted every person who may have been at the park the day of the spill. The skate park is not expected to reopen until the site is decontaminated.

The suspects in the case could face burglary and theft related charges for their role in stealing the mercury. Police did not confirm whether charges would be pursued for the actual mercury spill.

Mercury and most of its compounds are considered extremely toxic. It has the appearance of a shiny liquid metal when at room temperature and can break down into smaller droplets. Mercury can cause both chronic and acute poisoning leading to damage of the central nervous system and other organ systems. Mercury poisoning is of greatest risk to young children.