Houston Mercury Spill Investigated As Possible Crime: Police

HOUSTON, TX — A spill of mercury that prompted an extensive emergency response Sunday in Houston is being investigated as a potential crime, officials said.

Fire crews first received reports of mercury sightings in the west part of the city at 11:15 a.m., officials said during a press conference. As the day progressed, firefighters found the silver-colored chemical element at three parking lots of businesses along the 10700 block of Westview — at a Walmart store, a Sonic eatery and a Shell gas station, officials said.

By Monday, the FBI announced Christopher Lee Melder, 19, was charged with burglary and unlawful disposal of hazardous material after being questioned. Melder also was arrested on on outstanding felony drug possession warrant, officials updated on Twitter.

Despite the frantic response to the spill, the threat to the public was low given the small amount of mercury involved — less than a pint, officials said. In providing an assessment, officials sought to debunk early media reports that erroneously said 60,000 gallons of the chemical were spilled.

“The threat to the public is very low, because the spill occurred outdoors and the amount of chemical spilled is small,” Dr. David Persse, local health authority for the Houston Health Department, said in a prepared statement. “The amount of chemical detected on those exposed is below the level that’s dangerous to the average individual.”

Still, some 60 people underwent a decontamination process after being found to have trace amounts of mercury contamination near their feet and shoes, officials said in a press advisory. Officials added that one person was transported to a hospital as an added precaution, while another dozen were evaluated at the scene before being released.

Police now are investigating whether the mercury spills were accidental or intentional. Investigators have zeroed in on a burglary of a nearby warehouse as being possibly connected to the spill, but they were unable to make a final determination if both incidents are related.

"It is too early in the investigation to determine if a criminal a[ct] occurred," Executive Assistant Chief Matt Slinkard wrote on Twitter. "However, we are taking it very seriously.” Officials added in a press advisory: "Law enforcement is working to determine if the spill was accidental or intentional. The investigation is being coordinated with the FBI. Updates about the investigation will be provided by the FBI Houston office."

Police were working well into the evening to coordinate decontamination at the sites where the mercury was confirmed to be located, as fire officials continually updated on Twitter. Westview Drive and West Sam Houston Parkway remained closed well into Sunday night as crews worked to clean up the area, police said.

Despite the robust emergency response, police said no mass evacuations or shelter-in-place orders were needed as the contamination was contained to the affected area in West Houston.

Symptoms of acute mercury exposure can include headaches, eye and throat irritation, coughing and nausea.

Patch will update when more details are known.