High levels of mercury were confirmed in a St. Bernard Parish home but the danger does not extend to neighbors, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Testing and inspection by men wearing protective gear followed an inquisition by a St. Bernard Parish family that mercury was making their family sick.

The EPA said that mercury is inside the home of Crystal and James Patty and a doctor told Eyewitness News that the couple’s four-year-old son did test positive for high levels of mercury, though the doctor said he is improving. Officials are trying to determine how the mercury got inside of the Patty’s home.

Friday night neighbors called in the St. Bernard Parish Fire Department after becoming concerned as EPA and DEQ officials combed the home for much of the day.

Chief Thomas Stone said the environmental departments apologized for not keeping parish officials in the loop during the process.

The inspections followed a call by the Patty family as they were concerned about the family’s general health and their son in particular.

 “Your body starts aching,” said Crystal Patty. “I haven't been able to eat; my gums have been really sore where I can't chew down on it. You get cold and dry sweats, real bad migraine headaches.”

The Patty’s say they first discovered a silvery liquid on a television set in the house, then began feeling sick.

“It's an inhalation hazard, mercury is toxic and when it volatilizes it can be inhaled, and entered directly into the blood stream and that's where the health problems are usually manifested,” said David Bary of the EPA.

Bary said mercury is commonly found in older thermometers, gauges and dials.