Posted at 11:35 a.m., Friday, April 13, 2001

More mercury found on O'ahu

Advertiser Staff

Another mercury contamination was reported on O'ahu today, the 10th since March 12.

The fire department's hazardous materials team was called to Wai'anae Mall at about 8:50 a.m. after approximately 1 teaspoon of mercury was discovered in a bathroom at the shopping center.

Fire department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo said the department is being very careful with any reports of mercury contamination and the bathroom was sealed off until a crew from the state Health Department's Hazardous Evaluation and Emergency Response unit can remove the liquid metal.

Mercury contaminations have been reported from Central O'ahu to the Leeward Coast since March 12, when the toxic element was discovered throughout the Pu'uwai Momi public housing project and at Makalapa Park in Halawa.

The source of that mercury is believed to be a nearby abandoned pump house nearby where children played, but Soo said there is no way to tell if today's spill is from that location.