Thought for Monday, Apr 14, 2008

Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed
within the glass tubing. EPA recommends the following clean-up and
disposal guidelines:

Before Clean-up: Ventilate the Room

1. Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through
the breakage area on their way out.
2. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
3. Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if
you have one.

Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces

4. 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.
5. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small
glass fragments and powder.
6. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and
place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
7. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard
surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug

4. 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.
5. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small
glass fragments and powder.
6. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum
the area where the bulb was broken.
7. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the
bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials

8. Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a
trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.
9. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing
clean-up materials.
10. 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 mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local
recycling center.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Ventilate the Room During and After
Vacuuming

11. The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air
heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
12. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the
window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

-Environmental Protection Agency

http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#flourescent

(The standard incandescent bulb will no longer be available after 2012
under current law. Do be prepared when one breaks. Unfortunately
this is not April 1st.)