FDA MAUDE MW4002087 files re: mercury spills

To Whom It May Concern:

This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:

All files, reports, follow up materials, references to other agencies, and any other related materials regarding MAUDE Event Report Number MW4002087, received by the Food and Drug Administration on November 18, 1997 regarding the Kerr Corporation. It stated:

"DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION RPTR FOUND MERCURY SPILLS IN THE 3 AMALGAMATORS AND THE CABINETS HOUSING THEM. THE AMALGAM (ITEM 1), IS THE PRIMARY SOURCE. PROBABLE CAUSE: FAULTY SEAL ON CAPSULE MERCURY ESCAPING FROM THE CAPSULE DURING TRITURATION. ACTION TAKEN: SUSPENDED USE. BIOENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING NOTIFIED. BIOMED ARRIVED AND EXAMINED AMALGAMATORS. USED MERCURY SNIFFER TO DETERMINE AMOUNT OF VAPORS. FOUND TO BE ABOVE THE ACCEPTABLE LIMIT OF 50. BIO THEN CLEANED THE UNITS. RPTR HAD TESTING OF PERSONNEL THROUGH 24 HR URINE SAMPLES (RESULTS PENDING). THESE ADD'L 1000 CAPSULES WERE AND STILL ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL THE INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE."

Please include all available datasets, spreadsheets, and other materials regarding investigation of this report, including all available segregable data. Please include all available lists of affected military clinics and other locations.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Beryl C.D. Lipton