Did you know that compact fluorescent light bulbs, (CFL) contain mercury, a neurotoxin that can cause kidney and brain damage? This past winter my husband had replaced all the light bulbs in our home with the new CFL swirly bulbs. I think they are ugly and hate them, but he insists they are more energy efficient and last longer. He is right about lasting longer because we haven’t replaced even one yet.I can’t say that our electric bill has gone down since using them.
But they are far from safe. If you break one, here are the 11 steps on how to clean up a fluorescent bulb
Before cleanup: Vent the room
1. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
2. Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.
Cleanup steps for hard surfaces
3. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
5. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
6. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
Cleanup steps for carpeting or rug
3. Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
5. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
6. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
Disposal of cleanup materials
7. Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.
8. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing cleanup materials.
9. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a recycling center.
Future cleaning of carpeting or rug
10. For at least the next few times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
11. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.
March 5th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
Some of these bulbs also give off high amounts of UV light – enough to cause sunburn like skin rashes! I saw a Canadian show called 16 x 9 about a month ago – they actually did two episodes on the dangers of these bulbs. I would advise not using them in a reading light that you sit near or under for any period of time.
http://www.globaltv.com/globaltv/globalshows/16×9/past.html
Check out the January 4th episodes – rays of rash and dirty energy – you’ll be enlightened.
March 6th, 2009 at 1:45 am
Oh brother!!! They have them here now too. I had thought of getting them when I was in the USA and for sure was going to buy them here now soon. So glad you posted this cuz I certainly wont buy them now! God, nothing is worth all that trouble–and danger! Thanks so much for the info!
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March 6th, 2009 at 4:05 am
you left a couple things out sweetness,
1. Immediately Put On a particulate mask – a respirator is better; before approaching the broken bulb
2. mercury is a slippery element so you need to create a boom around it with either absorbent cotton batting or a very absorbent sanitary napkin; old style kotex works best.
3. wrap it in aluminum foil when you scoop it up.
4. put the aluminum foil into a brown paper bag, and put that inside of a plastic bag. then put it all inside a ziploc bag.
you are attempting to contain the microscopic particles and keep the glass from sifting and cutting itself free.
then you need to call the waste disposal folks for your area and tell them you have a mercury spill and ask them where to dispose of it, since you absolutely cannot put it into your trash.
oh yes I do know alot about handling them.
especially the disposal part. already went through it.
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March 6th, 2009 at 4:06 am
OMG I forgot the most important thing – Attire
Long Sleeves, Thick Shirt and Pants
and high thick Gloves – DO NOT TOUCH WITH BARE HANDS.
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March 6th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
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March 6th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
My husband and I were also looking for ways to reduce our energy bills with the high cost of heating our home and the bad economy. It took us about 4 months to replace all of our light bulbs but we too switched to CFL swirly bulbs and I am so shocked now after reading your blog posts and the steps it will take should one break! I am seriously regretting the money I spent and the time it took to install them all!
Thank you for sharing very interesting!
Angie
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March 6th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
Hi
We changed all the light bulbs in our house, to CFL for the past 6 months I really can not see much of a savings on our bill.I have not had one break yet,but I am glad to read your post.
Ms REcipe
March 7th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I hate to sound like a snarky goat but perhaps they save so much money because you die sooner…bwahahaha. The male person around here has switched to them in the house so I can’t say much more.
March 7th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
There is no question that they both save energy and last forever; I’ve used them for years, and I seldom have to change one.
Unfortunately, I broke a few of them before I was made aware of how dangerous they are when cracked. Hopefully a wider education campaign is in the offing, because I believe their benefits absolutely outweigh their drawbacks.
March 7th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Very helpful! Thanks for this.
March 7th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
And one day we’ll be forced to use those toxic, nasty things in our home. Isn’t that wonderful?
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March 8th, 2009 at 4:56 am
I can’t believe that they are so dangerous. I don’t know if we have them in France, when we change over I’m going to be very careful, very careful indeed.
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March 9th, 2009 at 2:21 am
Wow! I never knew they were that dangerous. Thanks for the info!
BTW, I love your blog so I have an award for you. Please visit my blog to collect it! Congratulations!
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