PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, October 20 (Itar-Tass) —— More than 1.5 kilograms of mercury have been found in an abandoned house in the settlement of Koryaki, Kamchatka territory, a spokesman for the local department of the Federal Security Service told Itar-Tass on Thursday.

According to the spokesman, police and security officers are taking effort to expose the owner of the mercury.

The metal “was kept in improperly and posed a potential threat to local residents,” the spokesman noted and added that the mercury was handed over to experts for disposal.