| The articles explains how to clean up after a | | | | sealed glass jar or sealed plastic bag. Place the |
| fluorescent bulb break. Tips include throwing away | | | | cardboard is a sealed plastic bag. |
| clothing in direct contact with the glass or powder | | | | |
| after a break. Normal 0 false false false | | | | 2. Use a strong piece of tape (such as duct tape) |
| MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 | | | | to pick up any remaining glass or powder. |
| st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions * | | | | |
| table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table | | | | 3. Wipe the area with a damp paper towel or rag |
| Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; | | | | that you don’t mind throwing away. Place |
| mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; | | | | in a sealed glass jar or sealed plastic bag. |
| mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in | | | | |
| 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; | | | | For Carpets or Rugs: |
| mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; | | | | |
| mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; | | | | 1. Cautiously pick up the glass and place it in a |
| font-family:"Times New Roman"; | | | | sealed glass jar or sealed plastic bag. |
| mso-ansi-language:#0400; | | | | |
| mso-fareast-language:#0400; | | | | 2. Use a strong piece of tape (such as duct tape) |
| mso-bidi-language:#0400;} CFL (compact | | | | to pick up any remaining glass or powder. |
| fluorescent light) bulbs are becoming more popular | | | | |
| as more homeowners realize their great energy | | | | 3. Vacuum if necessary. Remove the vacuum |
| and money-saving benefits. Many homeowners do | | | | bag, or wipe the canister of a bagless vacuum |
| not know that CFL bulbs contain small amounts of | | | | (with damp paper towels or rags). Place the bag |
| mercury. The mercury is sealed within the glass | | | | or paper towels in a sealed plastic bag. |
| tubing within the bulb. The mercury only poses a | | | | |
| threat to humans if a break occurs. If a bulb | | | | Clothing and Shoes: |
| breaks, it is potentially hazardous if not cleaned up | | | | |
| and disposed of properly. Improper cleaning and | | | | 1. If clothing or bedding comes in direct contact |
| disposal leads to the release of mercury vapors in | | | | with the broken bulb, the clothing or bedding |
| the air. Excessive mercury exposure could injure | | | | should be thrown away. Do not wash such |
| your kidneys or, in extreme cases, produce | | | | clothing or bedding because mercury fragments |
| severe brain damage and cause serious | | | | on the clothing or bedding could contaminate your |
| respiratory system disorders. Read below to learn | | | | washing machine and pollute sewage. |
| how to properly clean up after a CFL break. | | | | |
| | | | | 2. You may wash other clothing (such as the |
| According to the US Environmental Protection | | | | clothing you wore when cleaning up the break), as |
| Agency (EPA): | | | | long as that clothing has not come into direct |
| | | | | contact with the glass or powder. |
| If a CFL bulb breaks, the following steps should be | | | | |
| taken: | | | | 3. Shoes should be wiped off with damp paper |
| | | | | towels. Place the paper towels in a glass jar or |
| 1. Have everyone leave the room. Take caution | | | | plastic bag. |
| to avoid stepping in the glass and powder. | | | | |
| | | | | Disposal: |
| 2. Open a window and leave the room for 15 | | | | |
| minutes. | | | | *Some states require broken and unbroken |
| | | | | mercury-containing bulbs to be taken to a local |
| 3. Turn off your forced air furnace or a/c | | | | recycling center and not be placed in a regular |
| system. | | | | trash bin. Make sure to verify the requirements in |
| | | | | your area.* |
| For Hard Surfaces: | | | | |
| | | | | 1. Immediately place all the clean-up materials in |
| *Do not use a broom or vacuum cleaner* | | | | the trash. Take the trash outdoors. |
| | | | | |
| 1. Scoop up the glass and powder with a piece of | | | | 2. After disposal is completed, make sure to wash |
| cardboard. Place the glass and powder in a tightly | | | | your hands thoroughly. |