Mercury spilled, San Luis Obispo business red-tagged

CalCoastNews
July 22, 2026
A hazmat scare unfolded Tuesday afternoon in San Luis Obispo after a customer brought mercury into a Broad Street business, prompting fire crews and a red tag on the building. The incident, reported just before 2 p.m. in the 3200 block, serves as a stark reminder that even small amounts of this toxic metal can trigger a full emergency response. No injuries were reported, but the business remains closed until cleanup is complete.
Mercury spills are rare but serious — the substance can vaporize and pose health risks if not handled properly. For SLO residents, this is a good moment to remember that items like old thermometers, barometers, or fluorescent bulbs should never be tossed in the trash. CalCoastNews has the full details on the response. Let’s hope this local shop reopens soon.
This summary was written by AI based on the original article from CalCoastNews.
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July 22, 2026
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