Libby Clinic site of mercury spill

Libby’s EPA Information Center received a call at 1:21 p.m. Jan. 28 reporting a mercury spill at the Libby Clinic. 

The mercury came from a broken blood pressure machine (sphygmomanometer) and was quickly contained by doctors.

The room was sealed off, and colorfully decorated with markers and butcher paper by clinic employees as they waited for officials.

Officials in hazmat suits arrived Jan. 30 along with mercury removal equipment.

The section of carpet was sampled and removed in a process which took around three hours.

The next day, Jan. 31, more tests were done to see whether the room was safe, and it was determined it met the safety requirements.

A few toys that had been bagged were determined to be contaminated and were disposed. 

Libby Clinic is in the process of replacing its old blood pressure machines during the next few months.