Mercury Clean Up Services

Serving San Diego, Southern Orange, Riverside, and Imperial Counties

We can restore your property back to normal conditions.

Mercury spills require specialized handling. Even a small amount of elemental mercury can separate into tiny droplets, travel into cracks and porous materials, and release mercury vapor into the air. Elemental mercury is a dense, silver-colored liquid that can break into small beads when spilled. Those beads can roll beneath flooring, enter wall openings, become trapped in carpet or furniture, and be carried into other areas on shoes and clothing. Mercury also releases an invisible, odorless vapor. The amount of vapor can increase in warm or poorly ventilated environments, making it difficult to determine the extent of contamination without proper screening equipment.

Attempting to clean up mercury with common household tools can make the situation worse. Our experienced team uses specialized equipment and proven procedures to locate contamination, remove affected materials and help restore safer conditions inside your home, workplace or facility.

Need immediate help with a mercury spill? Call Harmony Environmental Services 24/7 at (888) 623-4191

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What to Do After a Mercury Spill

  • Keep people and pets away from the affected area.

  • Avoid walking through the spill or tracking material into other rooms.

  • Do not touch the mercury with bare hands.

  • Do not use a household or shop vacuum.

  • Do not sweep the mercury with a broom.

  • Do not pour mercury into a sink, toilet or floor drain.

  • If possible, reduce the temperature in the affected area and ventilate it to the outdoors without circulating air into other parts of the building.

  • Contact a qualified mercury cleanup company for guidance.

If someone may have been exposed or is experiencing symptoms, contact a medical professional or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Our Mercury Cleanup Process

We gather information about what happened, the approximate amount of mercury involved, when the spill occurred and whether anyone attempted to clean it up. This helps us determine the appropriate response and identify areas where mercury may have spread.

Initial Consultation and Site Assessment

Harmony Environmental uses specialized mercury screening equipment, including the Mercury Tracker 3000, to identify areas of concern and help define the extent of contamination. The Mercury Tracker 3000 is used as a field screening tool during assessment and cleanup. It is not represented as an EPA/ATSDR-approved final-clearance instrument. We recommend independent third-party testing for final clearance and re-occupancy decisions.

Mercury Vapor Screening

When necessary, we isolate the affected area to reduce the chance of mercury being carried into uncontaminated portions of the property. We also evaluate nearby rooms, pathways and belongings that may have been affected.

Containment and Contamination Control

Our technicians carefully locate and remove visible mercury, contaminated debris and affected materials. The necessary cleanup method will depend on where the spill occurred and whether mercury entered carpet, flooring, furniture, cracks, drains, equipment or other difficult-to-reach areas.

Mercury Removal and Decontamination

After cleanup, we conduct additional screening to evaluate the effectiveness of the work and detail our findings.

Post-Cleanup Screening and Documentation

Independent Third-Party Clearance Testing

Harmony Environmental recommends independent third-party clearance testing before a property is considered ready for reoccupancy.

EPA/ATSDR guidance identifies 0.001 mg/m³, equivalent to 1 µg/m³, as the recommended action level for normal residential occupancy. However, the appropriate cleanup and re-occupancy criteria may vary depending on the type of property, its occupants, the nature of the spill and guidance from the agency overseeing the response.

Final clearance should be performed by a qualified independent professional using an accepted clearance method, such as an appropriately calibrated Jerome J505, Lumex 915M or laboratory sampling based on the applicable NIOSH method. Harmony Environmental does not issue a “mercury-free” certificate based solely on Mercury Tracker 3000 screening. Third-party clearance provides an additional level of independence and helps confirm that the applicable cleanup criteria have been met.

Where Mercury Spills Commonly Occur

Our team can assist with mercury contamination involving:

  • Thermometers and thermostats

  • Barometers and manometers

  • Fluorescent lighting and older electrical equipment

  • Laboratory and medical equipment

  • Industrial switches and gauges

  • Mercury-containing devices

  • Schools and educational facilities

  • Healthcare and dental facilities

  • Homes, apartments and rental properties

  • Commercial and industrial buildings

  • Vehicles and transported materials

Why Choose Harmony Environmental?

Harmony Environmental is a family-owned Southern California environmental cleanup company with the experience and specialized resources needed to respond to hazardous-material incidents. We understands that mercury contamination can create serious concerns for property owners, tenants, employees and customers. We provide discreet, confidential service and clear communication throughout the response. 

  • Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

  • California Licensed Contractor #949730/HAZ

  • Specialized mercury screening equipment

  • Experienced hazardous-material cleanup professionals

  • Residential, commercial and institutional service

  • Confidential and compassionate response

  • Service throughout San Diego and surrounding counties

If mercury has spilled in your home, business, school, vehicle or facility, avoid disturbing the affected area and contact Harmony Environmental as soon as possible. Our team can evaluate the situation, explain the next steps and provide a plan for professional mercury screening and cleanup.

Call 24/7 for a FREE ESTIMATE by San Diego’s trusted, family owned mercury cleanup company!

Call (888) 623-4191

Frequently Asked Questions About Mercury Cleanup

  • Even a relatively small spill can be difficult to clean because mercury breaks into tiny droplets that can travel into cracks, carpet and other hidden areas. The level of risk depends on the amount spilled, the location, the temperature, how long it has been present and who may have been exposed.

  • No. Never use a vacuum or broom to clean up mercury. Vacuuming can increase mercury vapor in the air and contaminate the vacuum itself, potentially spreading mercury into other areas. Sweeping can break mercury into smaller droplets and spread the contamination across a larger area.

  • Mercury vapor screening equipment can help identify areas where mercury may be present even when individual droplets are difficult to see. Additional investigation may be needed around flooring, carpeting, furniture, drains, wall openings and other areas where mercury can collect.

  • Do not reoccupy an affected area based solely on appearance or the removal of visible mercury. Reoccupancy should be based on appropriate testing. Harmony Environmental recommends independent third-party clearance testing.

  • The cost depends on the amount of mercury involved, where it was spilled, how far it traveled, the materials affected and whether cleanup was previously attempted. Contact us for a free estimate.

  • Yes! We are available 24/7 throughout San Diego and surrounding Southern California counties.