EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - East Lansing has arranged for wastewater treatment plant employees to be tested for mercury poisoning after a November spill was disclosed last week.
The Lansing State Journal reports the city is investigating how the spill occurred and why it wasn't immediately reported. Public Works Director Todd Sneathen says he interviewed workers Monday and arranged for tests for as many as 16.
The state says a call to a pollution tip line reported at least 1.5 pounds of mercury spilled.
Sneathen says the city learned of the spill on Thursday when a group of plant workers came forward and requested a meeting.
Sneathen says workers used a vacuum to clean up the spill.
Jim Wilson, Ingham County's environmental health director, says officials found high levels of mercury inside the vacuum.
