CINCINNATI, Ohio-The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is investigating a neighborhood in Camp Washington, Ohio, after reports of children playing with mercury in the area. The Ohio EPA was notified on November 25, and the concern is that nearby homes may be contaminated. The EPA is working with local agencies, including the Cincinnati Public Health Department, Cincinnati Fire Department, Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency, and the Ohio EPA, to screen homes and individuals who may have been exposed to mercury. Mercury exposure can cause short-term symptoms like flu-like illness, difficulty breathing, and confusion, as well as long-term effects such as visual disturbances, difficulty walking, and neurological symptoms like numbness or weakness.
