During Cleanup Do not vacuum. Vacuuming is not recommended unless broken glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been taken, as doing so may spread mercury-containing powder or mercury vapor. Thoroughly scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag. See detailed cleanup instructions for more information, and for differences in cleaning up hard surfaces versus carpeting or rugs. Place cleanup materials in a sealable container.
After Cleanup Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including any vacuum cleaner bags used, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of. Avoid leaving any bulb fragments or cleanup materials indoors. Use Earth to track down a recycling solution near you. Avoid throwing CFLs broken or unbroken into your regular waste bin. If weather and other conditions allow, continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the heating and air conditioning system shut off for several hours a study conducted by the journal Science of The Total Environment found that the critical exposure period passes after four hours.
Discovering our overall mercury footprint Despite the small amount of mercury that may be released into the atmosphere if a CFL breaks or is disposed of improperly, the use of CFLs actually helps reduce total mercury emissions in the U.
You could also use a piece of bread -- just don't eat it afterwards. Once you've gotten the glass up off of the floor, you'll need to wipe things down with a damp paper towel. You'll want to go over the area fairly liberally, making sure not to leave any of that white powder from the bulb behind. Once you're done, add that used paper towel to the container with the paper, the tape, and the broken glass. Go ahead and seal it up, then take it outside.
Now would also be a good time to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. You've gotten the floor spic and span, but there still might be trace amounts of mercury vapor left in the air. If you're able to, leave the windows open and the air conditioning off for another couple of hours. Better safe than sorry, right?
Depending on your local regulations, you might not be required to take the broken bulb to a recycling center. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes.
Place the towels in the glass jar or plastic bag. Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of. Avoid leaving any bulb fragments or cleanup materials indoors. Next, check with your local government about disposal requirements in your area, because some localities require fluorescent bulbs broken or unbroken be taken to a local recycling center.
If there is no such requirement in your area, you can dispose of the materials with your household trash. Clear all people and pets out of the area. Open a window or door to air out the area. Gather your supplies: cardboard or stiff paper, tape, damp towels and a glass jar or sealable plastic bag. Sweep the broken bits of glass into the glass jar or sealable bag. Use sticky tape to collect any remaining fragments, then place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.
Place any items used to clean up the area in a trash bag. Place the trash bag outside of your home—leaving it inside could pose health risks to you and others. Call your local government to find out if there are any special requirements for disposing of CFLs.
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