PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
A night watchman found approximately 10 pounds of mercury just past midnight this morning at Cascade Station in northeast Portland.
He called the fire department, and hazmat crews responded to assist in the cleanup, which took hours. Crews cleaned up the substance by using a binding agent and then vacuuming it up. They assured the public that the substance did not penetrate the soil or harm stream systems in the area.
PHOTOS: Mercury at Cascade Station
Portland hazmat member Grant Coffey described the event as more of an expensive cleanup rather than a deliberate attack. Although it is a toxic chemical, it is not a major hazard. Coffey believes it was thrown out or spilled deliberately by someone. An investigation is underway to determine where exactly the substance came from.
The FBI has been notified, and this event is not believed to be linked with the white powder scares that have been occurring throughout the Portland area.
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