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Mercury Spill Cleanup
Mercury Removal Innovation
Rader Environmental has specialized in mercury removal for almost 20 years.
Rader’s approach to mercury removal is the result of the company’s
interest in the science of elemental mercury. Depending on the conditions,
the majority of the spilled mercury can be cleaned up with a mercury
recovery vacuum. The problem lies with the remaining microscopic
and/or embedded mercury contamination. Cleaning up the remaining microscopic
and/or embedded mercury is important because mercury vapor is being released
if any elemental mercury is present after the mercury spill cleanup is
completed.
Early on
in their attempts at mercury removal, chemists at Rader recognized that
all commercially available Mercury Vapor Reduction compounds are basically
suppressants (they suppress mercury vapor). However, the suppressing
effects may not last long and Rader realized that the only permanent
solution to the problem is complete removal of all microscopic mercury. With
that in mind, through trial and error and in collaboration with other scientists,
they developed a procedure to remove elemental mercury so that suppressants
are not necessary.
Key Clean and Rader Reducer are the chemicals that Rader developed. They
work by suspending the microscopic elemental mercury in a solution so that
it can be collected using either a mercury vacuum or cloth rags or other
media depending on the surface to be cleaned.
However,
Key Clean and Rader Reducer, although integral to the process, will not
by themselves permanently remove elemental mercury. Knowledge
of the substrate and its conditions are also important. Rader has
the knowledge to recognize and address these conditions allowing Rader’s
solutions to work.
Mercury spills
occur in many places and on many different surfaces. When elemental mercury
droplets shatter they adhere to surfaces both horizontal and vertical,
they also make their way into cracks & crevices and anything
even slightly porous. Cleaning spilled mercury from rough or smooth concrete
is different than cleaning it from floor tile or steel and these surfaces
are different than cleaning it from hardwood floors etc… If
the spill has occurred in an industrial setting and the surfaces to be
cleaned are full of grease and grime it may be necessary to address these
contaminants at the same time the mercury is addressed.
In addition
to actually removing the elemental mercury the Rader products also do
not harm most surfaces, unlike the commercially available chemicals which
may react with different metals and can be corrosive. Rader’s
chemicals are even safe for aluminum and have been used to decontaminate
commercial aircraft successfully.
Many times
a mercury spill will contaminate personal belongings that cannot be replaced,
the Rader Team has many different techniques available to them to decontaminate
and save your personal belongings, however certain porous items (such
as shoes, carpeting etc…) are not readily cleaned.
It is possible to launder some clothing items using the Rader chemicals
so that they can be safely worn again. Sometimes it may be more prudent
to replace items rather than decontaminate them. The Rader Team has the
experience to know the difference thereby saving time and money by making
the right decision with regard to decontamination in a cost effective manner.
Rader has
also been involved in very large mercury spills/contamination episodes
where the Rader advantage is a thorough working knowledge of laboratory
analysis, waste characterization and CERCLA issues in addition to the
Rader Proprietary Chemicals and Team Rader’s vast experience in
mercury clean-ups.
The Rader Mercury Removal Method has been proven effective on many mercury
removal projects. Link to projects here.
The Rader Team
When you employ Rader to address your mercury problem you are hiring a
team of experts with experience on many mercury removal projects. A
Rader chemist will visit the site with a Lumex 915 plus Mercury Vapor
Analyzer and determine the best, least complicated way to decontaminate
and remove elemental mercury from your facility.
During the actual
mercury removal phase of a project all workers wear respirators equipped
with mercury vapor cartridges and standard “Level C Protection”.
All workers have undergone both Hazardous Materials Worker Training and Mercury
Awareness Training and all workers are participants in a medical evaluation
program.
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