[Archived] Alexandria Black History Museum Closed Due to Mercury Spill

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 20, 2009    
     

The City of Alexandria's Black History Museum, located at 902 Wythe St., will be closed on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, due to a mercury spill. On Thursday, March 19, shortly after 4:00 p.m., the Alexandria Fire Department Hazardous Material Unit responded to the museum for a mercury spill from a broken sling hygrometer. A hygrometer is used to measure humidity in the air.

The spill was contained to the basement of the museum and did not spread to the public area of the museum. The Alexandria Fire Department Hazardous Material Unit determined the mercury levels were within safe Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, and pose no threat to the public. The basement is being cleaned and ventilated, and the museum is expected to reopen for regular visitor hours on Tuesday, March 24. For more information about the Alexandria Black History Museum, visit www.alexblackhistory.org