File photo. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
There is no risk to the public after a mercury spill in Cromwell today.
In a statement, FENZ Otago Assistant Commander Craig Geddes said one crew from Cromwell attended the small spill in a house about 12.30pm.
The exact size of the spill was yet to be determined, but there have been no reports of poisonings or injuries in relation to it, Geddes said.
The crew secured the property and a hazardous materials unit would be deployed from Dunedin in the morning to assess and remove the contaminated material safely, he added.
The circumstances of the spill were still being investigated.
FENZ national hazardous substances advisor, Dr Trudy Geoghegan, said the vapour was the main risk with mercury but it could also be absorbed by skin.
"Immediate actions should include keeping children and pets well away, and ventilating the room where the spill occurred for 24 hours by opening external windows and doors to the area where the spill is, and closing doors to other parts of the house.
"Turn off the heating or air condition systems that circulate air around your house to prevent mercury vapours going into other parts of the house," she said.
If people get it on themselves, they should avoid spreading it further by wiping the mercury off with a wet paper towel and putting it and their clothing into a sturdy plastic bag for disposal, Geoghegan said.
"Never vacuum a mercury spill and do not try to wipe it up or use other cleaning products as this could spread the mercury over a larger area. If people are exposed to mercury vapour and are pregnant, or are concerned about their health they should contact their GP for advice or call the National Poisons Centre on 0800 POISONS."
Small spills can be cleaned up safely if people followed the directions on the Ministry of Health website.
If the spill was unable to be cleaned up safely, contact Fire and Emergency on 111, she said.
