Washington Post: Hints From Heloise - Fluorescent Facts
Filed under: Earth 911 - July 20, 2007
By Heloise
Friday, July 20, 2007
Fluorescent Facts
Dear Heloise: Please inform your readers that if they BREAK A FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULB, they should NOT pick up the pieces with bare hands. Instead, wear protective gloves (that are disposable — Heloise), open the windows for ventilation and DO NOT vacuum up any residue or small pieces of glass. The small particles should be removed with a damp paper towel.
Fluorescent lamps contain a small amount of mercury. The larger, longer bulbs are more hazardous than the small, compact bulbs, but both should be cleaned up with caution.
All fluorescent bulbs should be taken to the dump (you need to check locally for guidelines — Heloise), as you would batteries, electronics, etc. The package containing the bulbs warns that they contain mercury and should be disposed of properly, but it does not mention the precautions for cleaning up a broken one. I have found out that most of my friends did not know this information, so please help to spread the word. — Connie, via e-mail
Connie, this is a “hot topic,” and one worth printing. Major manufacturers suggest the cleanup method you mention (NOTE: Open windows or doors for ventilation so the vapor can dissipate for at least 15 minutes before starting cleanup. — Heloise) and putting all of the broken pieces in two sealed plastic bags, even the paper towel(s). They suggest using duct tape to pick up stubborn little pieces, and you must wash your hands well after handling the bag. And do not burn the bulbs!
However, information on disposal is a little harder to find. You should call your trash company to see if there is a collection site in your area. If there isn’t a hazardous-waste center near you, the garbage company should be able to tell you how to prepare the bulbs for proper disposal. You can also call the United States Environmental Recycling Hotline at 877-EARTH-911. You enter your ZIP code, and there will be information for your state. It takes a while to go through the prompts, but be patient.