How should I clean up a broken fluorescent bulb?
EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines:
1. Open a window and leave the room (restrict access) for a least 15 minutes.
2. Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner.
Wear disposable rubber gloves if available (do not use bare hands).
Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard.
Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe.
Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.
3. Place all cleanup materials in a plastic bag and seal it.
If your State permits you to put used or broken CFLs in the garbage, seal the CFL in two plastic bags and put into the outside trash ( if no other disposal or recycling options are available).
Wash your hands after disposing of the bag.
4. The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag once done cleaning the area (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag and /or vacuum debris, as well as the cleaning materials, in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.
What should I do with a CFL when it burns out?
EPA recommends that consumers take advantage of local recycling options for compact fluorescent light bulbs, where available. EPA is working with CFL manufacturers and major U.S. retailers to expand disposal options. Consumers can contact their local municipal solid waste agency directly to identify local recycling options.
If you dispose of them into your regular waste the bulb will break at some point in the collection process. The mercury will escape into the air or leach into the landfill finding its way eventually to our water systems.
What is Mercury Poisoning?
Mercury poisoning occurs when a person has ingested, inhaled, or had skin or eye contact with the toxic ( poisonous) heavy metal mercury and suffers damage to his/her nervous system and other systems of the body. Mercury, which has the chemical symbol of Hg, is one of a few elements that are liquid at room temperature; and because it easily converts to gas form, it is extremely volatile. There are three forms of mercury circulating throughout the environment, and all three forms are toxic to humans and many other living organisms in varying degrees. Mercury poisoning is the ill effects on human’s nervous system and other bodily systems due to the over-exposure to mercury. Mercury is a neurotoxin, meaning it affects the nervous system. The “mad hatters” of the 19th century suffered from mercury poisoning which cause personality changes, nervousness, trembling, and even dementia. The hatters were exposed to mercury in the felting process, where mercury was rubbed onto cloth to preserve it.
Today, people are more aware of the dangers of mercury and many of its uses have been discontinued. However, mercury exposure is still an occupational hazard for people in many industries and mercury is present in the environment around us. There is also the risk of exposure due to a thermometer breaking or mercury leaking out of a thermostat or any number of mercury – containing devices. If mercury vapor is inhaled, as much as 80 percent may enter the bloodstream.
Risk varies depending on amount of mercury, the form, how often, and the age of the exposed person. Children (and also unborn fetuses) are the most vulnerable the effects of mercury poisoning. The work environment can be designed to minimize workers’ exposure. But some mercury will still escape into the environment and much of it will change into methylmercury and eventually be eaten by fish. Mercury-contaminated fish are the most likely source of mercury poisoning. It is recommended that mercury’s uses in buildings be eliminated, not because its presence make the building dangerous, but to help keep mercury out of the environment.
What is Mercury?
Mercury is an element (Hg on the periodic table) found naturally in the environment. Mercury emissions in the air can come from both natural and man-made sources. Utility power plants (mainly coal-fired) are the largest man –made sources, because mercury that naturally exists in coal is released into the air when coal is burned to make electricity.
For more information on all sources of mercury, visit http://www.epa.gov/mercury.
EPA is continually reviewing its clean-up and disposal recommendations for CFLs to ensure that the Agency presents the most up-to-date information for consumers and business.
EPA states fluorescent tubes pre 1992 @40.9 mg.Hg/4’tube, 1992-1996 @29.9 mg. Hg 1997 to present 20 mg. Hg/tube. Energystar states 5 mg. Hg/CFL
Also, Fossil fuel generation releases .04 mg. Hg in the air for every Kw generated.
Enviro Canada states 20mg.Hg per standard fluorescent tube is enough to contaminate 20,000 litres of water past the .001 mg/litre listed in their safe water guidelines