1-pound of mercury purchased at auction, turned in to the OCSD

A resident recently walked into Ozark County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) at 10:30 a.m. May 17 and told OCSD staff that he had purchased a glass jar that had a block inside labeled “Mercury 1 LB.” The sheriff’s office contacted the Department of Natural Resources who instructed the OCSD to take the jar from the resident and keep it in a secure location until DNR could pick it up. 

According to the World Health Organization, mercury is one of the top ten chemicals of major public concern and exposure to mercury - even in small amounts - may cause serious health problems. Exposure is a threat to the development of a child in utero or in early stage of life and can have toxic effect on the nervous, digestive and immune systems, as well as the lungs, kidneys and eyes of people of all ages.

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423