Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs

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Clean-Up Protocol

The first step in fluorescent bulb safety is planning to avoid breakage. Consider not using fluorescents in table and floor lamps or children's play areas where they are more likely to be broken. Also, consider not using them in bedrooms or other carpeted areas where infants, small children or pregnant women may spend significant time. Finally, consider whether the area could be adequately ventilated in the event of breakage. Bulbs not in use should be stored in a safe location with the same considerations. Do not allow too many bulbs to accumulate before you recycle them. When changing a bulb, put down a drop cloth to facilitate easier clean up in the event of a dropped bulb.

What should you do if a fluorescent bulb breaks in your home or workplace?

The official clean-up protocol is still a "work in progress" as new studies provide more complete information on the safety of various methods. The most thorough study to date was published in February 2008 by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and is available on their website.  The researchers broke various types of CFLs in a controlled environment and took measurements of the air concentrations of mercury at specific time intervals and distances off the floor. They also tested various methods of containing the hazardous clean-up materials until they could be properly recycled.


The following guidelines are derived from the current recommendations by the State of Maine, the U.S. E.P.A, and Health Care Without Harm - Europe as of August 1, 2008.


SafeMinds has provided the most stringent recommendations of the three organizations due to the uncertainties of not having multiple studies and the lack of sufficient data on mercury toxicity in fetuses and young children. Our goal in furnishing these guidelines is to err on the side of caution. Due to the ongoing state of research in this area, these guidelines should be considered informational only and not relied upon as final. These guidelines will continue to change and evolve as additional data becomes available.


These guidelines only address small mercury clean ups. In the event of a larger exposure, such as breaking a whole box of fluorescent bulbs, we recommend shutting the door, turning off any internal ventilation, opening any exterior doors and windows and contacting your local health authorities.


Guidelines for a Small Mercury Clean-Up

Step 1: Evacuate and isolate

  • Remove all people and pets from the affected area
  • Do not let anyone walk through the breakage area on the way out
  • Close any interior doors and turn off any internal ventilation system/close vents
  • Open exterior doors and windows
  • Stay out of the area for at least 15 minutes before continuing with clean up
 

Step 2: Protect yourself

  • Remove all jewelry from your hand and wrists as the mercury may amalgamate with the metal if it contacts them
  • Change into old clothes and shoes that can be discarded if they become contaminated
  • Put on rubber or latex gloves
  • Wear a protective facemask if you have one

Step 3A: To Clean a Hard Surface

  • Use a stiff card (like an index card) to remove any glass fragments and powder residue or any visible beads of mercury
  • Place them in a glass jar with a metal screw-on lid. If necessary, empty a food jar into another container to make it available for use. A joint compound bucket with a push-on lid is also a reasonably tight container. If a glass jar or compound bucket is not available, you may use two layers of sealed plastic bags, but be aware that these will not adequately contain the mercury vapors and should be removed from the building for recycling as soon as possible
  • Use sticky tape to pick up any remaining small glass fragments or powder
  • Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or wet wipes


Step 3B - To Clean a Carpet or Rug:

  • Carefully, pick up the glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with a metal screw-on lid. If necessary, empty a food jar into another container to make it available for use. A joint compound bucket with a push-on lid is also a reasonably tight container. If a glass jar or compound bucket is not available, you may use two layers of sealed plastic bags, but be aware that these will not adequately contain the mercury vapors and should be removed from the building for recycling as soon as possible
  • Use sticky tape to pick up any remaining small glass fragments or powder
  • You can also use tweezers, an eyedropper or a syringe (without a needle) to remove any small debris, but the tools must be discarded with the breakage materials, as they will be contaminated
  • Since breakage on soft surfaces is difficult to clean thoroughly, the safest choice is to remove the section of carpet or discard the rug. This is essential if there is a young child or pregnant woman who may use the space.
    Please note that the current EPA clean-up protocol allows the option of retaining the carpet or rug. Based on the data from the Maine DEP study, SafeMinds does not believe a homeowner can adequately clean carpet and rugs contaminated with mercury and recommends removing them from the site.


Step 3C - Clothing, Bedding or Other Soft Materials:

  • It is nearly impossible to clean clothing, bedding, or upholstery that has come in contact with mercury - these items should be discarded.
  • Do not try to wash these items as this may contaminate your washing machine and pollute sewage.
  • If these items have only come in contact with mercury vapor (for example, the clothes that you wore to clean up), these items should be washed - as long as they did not contact any of the debris. (Please note that this recommendation by the EPA is going to be further investigated in their follow up to the Maine DEP study).


Step 4 - Final Disposal and Follow Up:

  • Ensure that all clean-up materials including your gloves are sealed in the jar or bags. Label the container(s) as "Universal Waste- broken lamp - contains mercury"
  • If you think your shoes may have contacted the debris during clean up, they should be discarded with the debris. Even if you are sure that they have not directly contacted the mercury, wipe them with a wet wipe or damp paper towel and dispose of the towels or wipes along with the other contaminated debris.
  • Wash your hands and face
  • Keep the area ventilated to the outdoors for at least 24 hours after clean up is complete
  • Recycle the waste properly - not in your household trash
  • Do not allow the waste to be stored in your home - recycle it promptly - particularly if you had to use plastic bags for containment

 

Six Things You Should Never Do With Mercury

  1. Never use a vacuum cleaner to clean up a mercury spill. It will vaporize the mercury and spread it around your home. The vacuum cleaner will be contaminated and may need to be discarded.
  2. Never use a broom to clean up a mercury spill. It breaks up the mercury and moves it around. You will also need to discard the broom.
  3. Never wash mercury down the drain. It can lodge in your plumbing and contaminate septic tanks and the sludge in sewage treatment plants.
  4. Never continue to wear footwear or clothing that has had direct contact with mercury. This increases your exposure and spreads the contamination.
  5. Never burn or incinerate anything contaminated with mercury. This puts the mercury into the atmosphere.
  6. Never use household cleaning products to clean a mercury spill, particularly products containing ammonia or chlorine. These chemicals will react violently with mercury, releasing a toxic gas.

 

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