How to Clean-Up a Broken CFL

Fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) are the corkscrew-shaped light bulbs that are everywhere these days. They last for many years and use a lot less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs. In the long run, you will definitely save money by replacing the old bulbs in your home with CFLs.

There is one complication when buying CFLs. Like all fluorescent lighting, they have small amounts of mercury in them. Of course, mercury doesn’t stop us from buying thermometers and sticking them in all of our orifices, it shouldn’t stop us from slowing global warming either.

The EPA has released step-by-step guidelines for helping you clean-up a broken CFL so that your family is not exposed to any mercury.

Before Clean-up: Ventilate 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 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.
• 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 and place them 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.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials

• Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.
• 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 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

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

If you’d like to find out more about disposing of CFL bulbs, you can read the Energy Star FAQ’s on CFL disposal (PDF) HERE

Photo Credit: Flickr CC User protographer23