Mercury Spill Health Advisory Lifted, Martinez Train Station Reopens

MARTINEZ, CA — A weeklong public health advisory related to mercury contamination in Martinez was lifted Tuesday by Contra Costa County public health officials.

Under the health advisory issued May 9, the public was asked to avoid walking in the street along a five-block stretch of the city, including parts of Marina Vista and Alhambra avenues, and Buckley and Berrellesa streets, where trace amounts of the toxic mercury were discovered.

The mercury was spilled from a garbage truck, which picked up the toxic material from a garbage bin Monday at the Martinez Amtrak station on Marina Vista Avenue.

"At no point did we detect enough mercury on city streets to cause an immediate health concern," said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, county health officer. "The primary concern was reducing the risk of people tracking it inside, where over time it could cause health issues. We realize the work has been disruptive to the community and appreciate the partnership of the City of Martinez as we worked to keep people informed about our progress."

A hazardous materials investigation began Monday, May 8, when a Con Fire ambulance crew responded to an unrelated emergency at the train station and found the substance in the parking lot.

A county hazmat team responded to investigate and confirmed there was a substantial quantity of mercury on the ground.

Health officials believe the mercury was placed in a garbage can in the station parking lot and, on May 8, removed by a city crew emptying trash cans along a route between the lot and the city yard off Buckley.

Cleanup crews from the county, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — EPA — and a private contractor hired by the city worked over the past week to neutralize and remove all detectable mercury from more than 4,000 feet of roads along the city maintenance truck's route, an area that eventually extended to locations including in front of Rankin Park and a parking lot in the Martinez Marina, county health officials said.

Cleanup at the Amtrak station was completed over the weekend and the station has reopened.

The Martinez Police Department is still investigating to determine who placed it in the garbage can and why. According to the city, the illegally dumped mercury was also found on a platform at the Martinez train station.

"Initial surveying of the area revealed that small traces of mercury had spread throughout the area of the train station after a city maintenance crew — unbeknownst to them — serviced a trash container at the train station and proceeded on their route to eventually end at the Republic Services Transfer Station of Contra Costa on Waterbird Way," city officials said.

In total, over 40 sites of contamination were identified. Areas surveyed included the Amtrak Station, the platform, and parking lot; Rankin Park; the north intermodal parking lot; the transfer station; and parts of Marina Vista Avenue, Buckley Street, Berrellesa, Ferry Street, Joe DiMaggio Drive, North Court Street and Escobar Street.

"The City of Martinez thanks all first responders involved in this week-long effort and the public for their patience and understanding."

Authorities asked anyone with information related to the investigation to call the Martinez Police Department's tip line at 925-372-3440.

RELATED COVERAGE:

• Hazmat Spill Closes Martinez Amtrak Station
• Health Advisory: Mercury At Martinez Amtrak Station More Widespread
• Hazmat Cleanup Underway In Martinez, Including Near Rankin Park
• City Officials Address Mercury Contamination, Hazmat Cleanup
• Hazmat Crews Continue Cleaning Up Mercury From Martinez Streets