How to Clean Up a Broken Fluorescent Bulb

Fluorescent light bulbs such as the long tube shaped ones found in offices and warehouses and compact (CFL) ones found in homes can be energy efficient and last a long time. 

However these types of light bulbs contain small amounts of a neurotoxin known as mercury which can be harmful to animals and people. Prompt and proper cleanup of these bulbs when they break is important to prevent the mercury from spreading or from becoming embedded in the floors or carpeting.

Quickly open any windows in the room where the fluorescent bulb has broken. If there are no windows, open doors to try to get air flow into the room. Do not use fans as this can spread the mercury powder and vapors around.

Use the pieces of cardboard to scoop up glass shards if the bulb pieces landed on hard surfaces. Place one piece of cardboard flat on the surface and use the other piece to carefully slide the shards onto the flat piece. 

If shards landed on carpeted surfaces, use the duct tape to pick up the pieces. Do not try to pick up pieces with your hands. Place the duct tape with its sticky side down and press gently into the carpet to pick up the pieces. 



Place the shards into a glass jar that has a lid or into a thick plastic bag. When you are finished with the duct tape and cardboard pieces, promptly put them inside the plastic bag as well. 

Double bag the jar or plastic bag and take it to your nearest recycling center that handle fluorescent bulbs. You can find one by contacting your local waste management office or a nearby office supply store or hardware store. If you can not find one, place the double bagged debris into a trash can. Do not keep it inside. 



Dispose of any clothing or bedding that came into direct contact with the shards of bulb glass. Mercury powder may have become stuck in the fabric material. Do not attempt to wash or dry affected fabrics as this will contaminate the washer and dryer. Place the items in plastic bags before throwing them out. 



Ensure proper ventilation in the room when vacuuming the next few times that you clean the area. Do not use a vacuum to clean up the glass shards or soon after the bulb breaks. Remove the vacuum bag after running the vacuum and place it in a plastic bag before throwing it out. 



Reference: CFL cleanup guide from Energy Star- PDF File:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&ved=0CBUQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.energystar.gov%2Fia%2Fpartners%2Fpromotions%2Fchange_light%2Fdownloads%2FFact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf&ei=AdjxSpHICoqllAf6s_m8Aw&usg=AFQjCNHZp77l35a0Bk604tfrNbmFo242Gg&sig2=Q6SF0KXvllwcpeiY-vdkNw