Environment and Conservation Identifies Additional Mercury Contaminated Bridges

54 Bridges Identified, Investigation Continuing

NASHVILLE – As part of an ongoing investigation, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation has, to date, identified 53 county and private bridges in Wayne County and one bridge in neighboring Lewis County as being contaminated with elemental mercury.  The mercury was found in material on the underside of the bridges that has characteristics similar to concrete.  The bridges in question are small, typically one-lane, weathered bridges with metal driving surfaces primarily used on small public roads and for private driveway crossings.  The department continues to urge caution around these structures.

Elemental mercury is toxic, particularly in vapor form, and should never be handled or inhaled.  If you are in an area where you can see a bridge that meets the description above, do not go under the bridge, stay out of the creek in the vicinity of the bridge and do not consume fish from that area.  It is also important that people do not tear down bridges they believe could be contaminated because this could break up the mercury-containing material, creating an inhalation hazard and causing mercury containment and disposal problems.  Driving and walking over the bridges, however, does not pose a risk and they remain open to daily vehicle use.

Environment and Conservation initially confirmed mercury in three Wayne County bridges based on a citizen tip.  The department immediately launched an investigation and began working with county officials to identify and inspect all metal bridges in the area.  Inspectors have assessed all the metal bridges identified by the county, and the department has expanded the search to include additional stream crossings.  In addition to the bridge identification process, the department is also working to determine the most appropriate method of remediation, as well as the origin of the bridge materials.  The community will continue to be updated as new information develops.

Any person with information about the bridges in Wayne County or surrounding counties, particularly information about bridge locations that may be on private property and/or information about the source of the materials for these bridges, should call the Department of Environment and Conservation's Columbia Environmental Field Office at (931) 380-3371.   

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