Particle.news
Get it on Google Play
Download on the App Store
13 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

Lab Identifies Harmless Galinstan After Evacuation of DHL Parcel Centre

Police said lab tests cleared the site and investigators now believe a damaged Galinstan shipment contaminated other parcels rather than a deliberate mercury attack.

Der Verdacht auf Quecksilber in einem Paketzustellzentrum in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern hat sich nicht bestätigt. Die Sperrung des Gebäudes im Ort Leizen wurde aufgehoben.
Die Logos DHL und Deutsche Post stehen vor dem DHL Paketzentrum (Symbolbild)
Image

Overview

  • The DHL parcel and delivery centre in Leizen was evacuated and cordoned off after a 50-year-old delivery worker reported symptoms that raised concern, and more than 20 staff were moved to safety during the specialist response on Tuesday.
  • Samples taken by hazmat teams were sent for laboratory analysis and on Wednesday police announced the substance was Galinstan, a mercury-free liquid metal alloy, not toxic elemental mercury.
  • The centre was reopened after decontamination and police said current findings point to a damaged customer order of Galinstan that leaked into other packages during transport or delivery.
  • The affected worker is receiving medical care and authorities are continuing to investigate package handling and shipment damage while also checking for any links to a separate mercury discovery in Neustadt-Glewe; no further criminal proceedings are planned at this stage.
  • Galinstan is used as a mercury substitute and does not carry the long-term inhalation risks of elemental mercury, but the incident highlights gaps in how fragile or liquid cargo is packed and screened in parcel networks.