Probably, the most sensible thing to do is to get out and open the windows, but close the doors and allow the dust to settle or go out of the window. Then 24-48 hours later clean up the glass and dust as best as you can, preferably using a wet cloth. Don't use a vacuum cleaner, as it will just stir up the air, and the powder is so fine that it may not get trapped in the cleaner. Try not to use a brush, except for the little bits of glass that you can't otherwise pick up.
Fluorescent lamps of all types contain mercury - although the more modern ones contain only the absolute minimum needed to function. Tubes made in the last 3 or 4 years, contain less than 5 mg, and often contain below 3 mg - although older tubes may have contained over 20mg.
Fluorescent lamps of all types contain mercury - although the more modern ones contain only the absolute minimum needed to function. Tubes made in the last 3 or 4 years, contain less than 5 mg, and often contain below 3 mg - although older tubes may have contained over 20mg.
Squisher
Lifer
- Aug 17, 2000
- 21,204
- 66
- 91
You guys laugh but federal guidelines for broken bulbs are pretty stringent.
What to Do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks
Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines:
Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a sealed plastic bag.
Use disposable rubber gloves, if available (i.e., do not use bare hands). Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the plastic bag.
Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
Place all cleanup materials in a second sealed plastic bag.
Place the first bag in a second sealed plastic bag and put it in the outdoor trash container or in another outdoor protected area for the next normal trash disposal.
Note: Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a local recycling center.
Wash your hands after disposing of the bag.
If a fluorescent bulb breaks on a rug or carpet:
First, remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner, following the steps above. Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.
If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag or vacuum debris in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal
http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/#flourescent
What to Do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks
Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines:
Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a sealed plastic bag.
Use disposable rubber gloves, if available (i.e., do not use bare hands). Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the plastic bag.
Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
Place all cleanup materials in a second sealed plastic bag.
Place the first bag in a second sealed plastic bag and put it in the outdoor trash container or in another outdoor protected area for the next normal trash disposal.
Note: Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a local recycling center.
Wash your hands after disposing of the bag.
If a fluorescent bulb breaks on a rug or carpet:
First, remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner, following the steps above. Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.
If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag or vacuum debris in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal
http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/#flourescent
wasn't there a story a while back about a lady who had to pay thousands since she broke one of these bulbs and they had to quarantine her home or something?
SearchMaster
Diamond Member
- Jun 6, 2002
- 7,791
- 114
- 106
The EPA also wants me to call them if I'm filling my boat with gas and spill more than a few ounces.
I have jars of liquid mercury sitting in my basement. We used to tool around with them at times.
You should be more worried about being exposed to sunlight, or car exhaust.
You should be more worried about being exposed to sunlight, or car exhaust.
A lot of the electricity that the CFLs can save is produced by burning coal. Coal exhaust contains dramatically greater amounts of mercury, and as an added bonus uranium, than the CFL contains.
As a stupid little kid, I once bit down too hard on a thermometer and broke it. Thing exploded in my mouth...and I'm fine.....right? The important thing is I'm not dead. Retarded? Maybe.
And this comes from the same people that say I'll die if I eat that great orange flavored toothpaste. Those liars.
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