How to clean up and dispose of a broken compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL)

Many people are unaware that a broken compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL) can be hazardous. While CFLs are energy efficient and generally safe to use, be aware that, if broken, you must take special care in disposing of them.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 2 pieces of hard paper or thin card board about 12”x12”
• Rubber gloves
• Two small plastic trash bags
• Wet paper towels.
• Masking tape or duct tape.

1. MERCURY CONCERNS:
   
   Mercury is a silvery liquid metal identified by the atomic symbol Hg. Mercury. CFL bulbs get their energy efficiency from the mercury they contain. However, you must take extreme care when cleaning up a broken bulb because mercury can be fatal if taken in large enough amounts.
   
   DO NOT VACUUM UP THE PIECES!
   The mercury can be broken into molecule-sized particles by the force of the air in the vacuum cleaner and inhaled.
   
   DO NOT PICK UP THE PIECES WITHOUT rubber gloves. Mercury can also be absorbed through the skin.
   
   DO NOT WALK THROUGH THE AREA. Keep children and pets completely away from a broken bulb.
2. If a CFL breaks----
   Open the windows in the area and leave for about 15 minutes.
3. If on a hard floor--Use two pieces of hard cardboard or paper to collect the broken pieces, one to collect as a “dustpan” and the other to “drag or scoop” on the “dust pan”. Wipe up the area several times with damp paper towels. Do not use a dustpan or broom or you will have to throw them away. You may not see the mercury but it can contaminate anything it touches. Put the cardboard, towels, gloves into the plastic bag that bag into another and dispose of according to your state or locality’s regulations.
4. If on a carpet—follow the instructions for a hard floor in step 3, but use masking tape or duct tape to pick up the pieces. Experts disagree on proper procedure after that. Some say you can use a vacuum cleaner to vacuum the area and then dispose of the bag with the other materials you have used in the clean-up process. Some say cut out the piece of carpet and have it patched with a piece from a closet or remnant. Which is the best? I personally would not use a vacuum that is not designed for hazardous material clean-up.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you buy CFLs, decide if you can deal with the additional care needed. (Rates charged by hazardous materials clean-up companies can range from $500.00 to $10,000.00. Yikes!) CFL bulbs save a significant amount of energy, but special care must be taken when cleaning up a broken bulb. See Step 1.
• DO NOT VACUUM UP MERCURY
• DO NOT INHALE MERCURY
• DO NOT TOUCH MERCURY