How to Clean Up Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Fluorescent bulbs are efficient, but broken bulbs can be hazardous.

Fluorescent light bulbs are known for their long lives and energy saving abilities. Fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, however, which makes disposal tricky. It also makes cleaning up tricky should one of the bulbs break. The EPA recommends following strict safety procedures when cleaning up broken fluorescent light bulbs to prevent shards of mercury-containing glass from causing harm to you and your family.

Things You'll Need

• Large sealable container
• Cardboard (or similarly hard paper)
• Wide masking tape
• Wet disposable rags

Instructions

1. Tell everyone in the room to leave. Make sure they don't walk over the fragments. Open the window in the room and shut off any air-handling equipment, such as heating, air conditioning or ceiling fans. Leave the room for 15 to 20 minutes.

2. Return to the room. Carefully scoop the large fragments into a sealable container with a piece of cardboard.Apply the sticky side of wide masking tape to the area to pick up smaller fragments and place the strip into the container.

3. Clean the area well with damp disposable towels or rags if the surface is hard, such as tile. Do not use a mop or any other reusable item. Place the towels or rags into the container.

4. Vacuum the area after removing all the fragments if the surface is carpet. After vacuuming, place the bag into the container. If the vacuum is bagless, carefully empty the contents into the container.

5. Wash your hands thoroughly after finishing. If the area is carpet, open the windows and shut off the air-handling equipment the next few times you vacuum the floor.

Tips & Warnings

• Dispose of the cleaning supplies in accordance with your local regulations. In some areas, you cannot throw the fragments and cleaning supplies out with the household trash.

• Dispose of any clothing or bedding that comes into direct contact with the fragments in the same manner. It's not usually necessary to dispose of the clothes you are wearing during cleanup.

• Never use a vacuum cleaner or broom to pick up large fragments of fluorescent light bulbs. Always remove as much as you can manually.

References

• EPA: Cleaning Up a Broken CFL

Resources

• Earth 911: Find Recycling Centers