Mercury Contamination May Affect Local Teens

There is mercury contamination at an abandoned area that some teens use for skateboarding. The mercury was found at Grand Lagoon Marine Industries, 1220 Mahogany Mill Road, near Bayou Chico, on an open concrete area where makeshift skateboarding ramps are also set-up. Teens playing or hanging out in this area may have tracked mercury into their homes. Parents should ask their teens if they hang out in this area and watch for changes in behavior -- such as increased irritability, shyness, memory lapses, and a change in vision or hearing -- and possibly symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you see these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.

How to Dispose of Mercury Thermometers -- Make sure that you do not have any old mercury thermometers in your home. You can dispose of old mercury thermometers through the Escambia County Landfill -- 13009 Beulah Road in Cantonment, 937-2156 -- or at one of the County's Regional Roundup, which is next scheduled for May 12, 8am-Noon, Bailey Middle School.

A Fact Sheet on Mercury and How It Can Affect Children(406kb; pdf)

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