Manhasset LIRR Substation

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Electrical substation building that controlled the electrical current flow to the LIRR tracks which was built likely in the 1930's. During the early to mid-20th century, the LIRR used mercury filled glass tubes in the electrical substation building that controlled the electrical current flow to the LIRR tracks. The mercury was used to convert alternating current into direct current to power locomotive and passenger cars.

Mercury tubes have long since been discontinued throughout the electrical grid and were replaced with modern electronics. Over time when they were in use, mercury spills inside the substation structure had contaminated the surrounding soil which then travelled, aided by rainfall, and eventually reached the bay via an underground drainage culvert, which terminates at the eastern shoreline of the bay, and settled in the underlying sediments.

dp.la/item/9fcb7b669bd026f77b28bfa21d2a5672?q=manhasset...
www.loc.gov/resource/g3804nm.g3804nm_g06109195106/?sp=6...
www.manhassetcivic.org/bca/