Discovery of mercury inside car sickens buyer

12/21/2005

Richard Paquette bought a mercury, but not the automotive kind.

The Eastern Avenue man told police yesterday that he bought a car about five weeks ago. Inside was a container, which unbeknownst to Mr. Paquette, contained a quarter to a half cup of mercury.

He became aware of the container s contents after the material leaked and he began to feel ill, police said.

Environmental services notified police, who secured the car until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could have a contractor clean it. That was expected to be done by 9 a.m. today, police said.