How to Clean up a Broken Fluorescent Light Bulb

Flourescent bulb

Compact fluorescent bulbs, also known as CFL’s are becoming increasingly useful in the reduction of household energy bills. Using 75 percent less electricity than a standard light bulb, fluorescent bulbs are a wise choice. But even though fluorescent bulbs have their advantages, they also contain a dangerous element called mercury. The amount of mercury is very small, but there is no concrete evidence to determine whether the level is safe for humans and other living things. The mercury is safely contained inside the fluorescent bulb, but if the bulb breaks, the environment becomes at risk for mercury exposure. The cleanup situation needs to be handled carefully and responsibly to reduce these risks.

Things You'll Need

• Rubber gloves
• Plastic bags
• Vacuum
• Replacement vacuum bag
• Cardboard pieces
• Spray cleaner
• Paper towel
• Dish soap
• Water

Instructions

1. Remove all pets and family members from the room that contains the broken fluorescent bulb and open all of the windows. Close all adjoining doors that access the room and keep the room off limits for at least 15 minutes. The mercury vapor that is released from a broken fluorescent bulb is highly toxic and must be given a chance to dissipate with the help of the fresh air.

2. Enter the room once the waiting period has expired and assess the situation. You will need to locate all of the broken pieces of bulb to prepare for the cleanup and one of the first things you should do is put on a pair of rubber gloves. The rubber gloves will protect your hands from any remaining mercury as you clean up.

3. Take a piece of cardboard in each hand and scoop up the larger pieces of fluorescent bulb. Do not pick up the pieces by hand because jagged edges could puncture the gloves and cut your skin. Place the scooped up fluorescent bulb material into a plastic bag and tie it tightly.

4. Vacuum up any remaining pieces and place the vacuum bag in secure plastic bag. Replace the used bag with a new one, when finished. If you are using a bagless vacuum, deposit the vacuumed material in a secure plastic bag, and wipe out the canister with spray cleaner and paper towels when finished. All hepa filters, dust filters and detachable tools and hoses should be rinsed with soap and water and thoroughly dried before the next use.

5. Place the plastic bags that hold the fluorescent light bulb debris into an outside trash bin, and remove the rubber gloves after the bags are safely inside. Carefully replace the broken fluorescent bulb with a new one and if necessary, close the windows again. Family and pets can return to the room at this time.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are interested in replacing your standard bulb with fluorescent, you may want to try contacting your electric company first. Sometimes there is an incentive to switch to fluorescent bulbs, as well as free bulbs offered to get you started.

• If the base of the broken bulb is still screwed into the lamp, do not use your hands to remove it. You can cut a raw potato in half and place the cut side over the remaining bulb piece and unscrew it. The potato will grip the surface of the bulb, making it easier and safer to turn. Just make sure that the lamp is unplugged first.

• There is a proper procedure that should be used when removing rubber gloves that may have come in contact with contaminants. While the gloves are still on, use one of your gloved hands to remove the first glove. To remove the second, take your pointer finger of the now bare hand and slip it under the wrist area of the second glove and slip the glove off.

• Not all trash collection companies allow you to throw fluorescent bulbs in with the regular garbage. Check with your trash removal company or township to see what their disposal requirements are.

Resources

• Further information about fluorescent bulbs, mercury hazards or energy information