| Recently a question arose on how to handle a
broken fluorescent light bulb. EPA provides eight pages of instruction at:
www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm. Sections of the protocol for "WHAT NEVER TO DO
WITH A MERCURY SPILL" and "WHAT TO DO IF A FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULB
BREAKS" are excerpted for your instruction:
Humans use mercury in a variety of manufacturing processes and products such as
thermometers and fluorescent bulbs. If you improperly dispose of products with mercury in
them, they may break and release mercury vapors which are harmful to human and
ecological health.
Dispose of used mercury-containing items properly.
Clean up mercury spills properly and report them to the proper authorities when necessary.
Spills (The links noted below can only be accessed from the above EPA Web site.)
What never to do with a mercury spill
What to do if a fluorescent light bulb or thermometer breaks
Other mercury spills
More than the amount in a thermometer, but less than or similar to two
tablespoons (one pound)
More than two tablespoons (one pound)
Related state links
Storing, Transporting and Disposing of Mercury
What to do if you have mercury in your home
Packaging mercury for storage and transportation
Recycling and Disposal Options
Hazardous Waste Site Cleanup
Cleaning up Superfund and other hazardous waste sites where mercury is present
Mercury Response Guidebook (for emergency responders)
Spills
What Never to Do with a Mercury Spill
Never use a vacuum cleaner to clean up mercury (but see the "What to Do if a
Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks" section below for more specific instructions about
vacuuming broken fluorescent light bulbs). The vacuum will put mercury into the air
and increase exposure.
Never use a broom to clean up mercury. It will break the mercury into smaller droplets
and spread them.
Never pour mercury down a drain. It may lodge in the plumbing and cause future
problems during plumbing repairs. If discharged, it can cause pollution of the septic
tank or sewage treatment plant.
Never wash clothing or other items that have come in direct contact with mercury in a
washing machine, because mercury may contaminate the machine and/or pollute
sewage. Clothing that has come into direct contact with mercury should be discarded.
By "direct contact," we mean that mercury was (or has been) spilled directly on the
clothing. For example:
if you broke a mercury thermometer and some of elemental mercury beads came
in contact with your clothing, or
if you broke a compact fluorescent bulb (CFL) so that broken glass and other
material from the bulb, including mercury-containing powder, came into contact
with your clothing.
You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the
mercury vapor from a broken CFL, like the clothing you happened to be wearing when
you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact
with the materials from the broken bulb.
Never walk around if your shoes might be contaminated with mercury. Contaminated
clothing can also spread mercury around.
Fluorescent light bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing.
EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal below.
Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room
Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage
area on their way out.
Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.
Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces
Carefully scoop up glass pieces 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.
Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and
powder.
Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the
glass jar or plastic bag.
Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug
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.
Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and
powder.
If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the
bulb was broken.
Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum
debris in a sealed plastic bag.
Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials
If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercurycontaining
powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or
bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because
mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the
mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you
cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact
with the materials from the broken bulb.
If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from
the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the
towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.
Disposal of Clean-up Materials
Immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area
for the next normal trash pickup.
Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific
area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and
unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.
Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming
The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air
conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming.
Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at
least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed. |
Article
HOW TO HANDLE A MERCURY SPILL