Mercury recycling planned for Durant

By John David Sutter

Published: April 16, 2008

Environmental officials announced Tuesday a one-time mercury recycling program in the southern Oklahoma town of Durant.

The effort comes in response to a string of mercury spills in Oklahoma — specifically one in March that killed a Colbert man.

Tony Winnett died early this month after he and Melissa Lake vaporized mercury on a kitchen stove to salvage gold from computer parts.

Afterward, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found mercury readings in the house 25 to 100 times higher than the government's safety threshold, said Eric Delgado, the EPA's coordinator for the site.

Work to detoxify the home has stopped, he said, as Lake does not want to move back into the home and likely will bulldoze it.

The recycling event will be held at the fire department in Durant, located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Evergreen Street. The program continues through May 10; it is free and open to anyone without risk of prosecution, said Jason Dalton, director of emergency management in Bryan County.

In most circumstances, it is illegal for people to possess more than a pound (about four tablespoons) of mercury within the state of Oklahoma.

"Our goal is to get as much mercury (as possible) off the streets and out of people's homes,” Dalton said. Mercury is found in some older household products and appliances, but is a potent neurotoxin when spilled or released into the air. It is dangerous to throw mercury in the trash or pour it into a sink or toilet.

The EPA will recycle the metal.

Dalton said the event in Bryan County is one time only. If residents recycle large quantities of mercury in coming weeks, officials will try to plan another event, he said.

Only two cities in Oklahoma — Oklahoma City and Midwest City — operate hazardous waste centers that accept mercury.

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