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Pasadena park evacuated, hazmat team sent after bottle of mercury found in bathroom

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Hazardous materials investigators were called to a Pasadena park Thursday after a bottle of mercury was discovered in a bathroom, leading to an evacuation of the park and one person being transported for treatment, authorities said.

The bottle was brought into the restroom by a patient dealing with mental health issues who had complained of stomach pain, according to Lisa Derderian, a spokesperson for the city of Pasadena. The incident at Washington Park, located at 700 E. Washington Blvd., was reported to authorities at 11:41 a.m., she said.

Hours later, just after 4 p.m., Derderian said hazmat investigators had cleared the park and had individuals inside a nearby senior care facility shelter in place. In a post on X, the city of Pasadena said the hazmat incident had "concluded" and there was "no threat to the public." 

While Derderian confirmed earlier that one person had been taken for medical treatment, she did not give any further details on the individual's condition or the nature of any possible injuries they may have sustained. 

First responders dressed in all-white hazmat suits and firefighters were at the scene in aerial footage shot just before 1 p.m.

Exposure to mercury can result in symptoms that range from subtle to severe, depending on the form of mercury involved and the amount, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Just a few drops of metallic mercury, for instance, can be "extremely dangerous" and produce enough fumes to contaminate the air in a room, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reports. Mercury poisoning can lead to symptoms such as impaired speech, memory loss and muscle weakness. 

No other details have been released by authorities.

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