Home Office Answers

  Oprah’s guest Simran called for “A Real Light Bulb Moment” encouraging all of us to switch to the energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs on the recent going green show. 

The benefits of using the CFL’s have been in the main stream media a while now and chances are you know all about how they save energy, last longer and reduce carbon emissions.  All good things I might add.I think it is important that you also know these bulbs are made with small amounts of mercury and need special attention if a broken bulb occurs.

What to Do if a Fluorescent Light Bulb Breaks

EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines:
These guidelines are continually being updated so be sure to check the EPA website for updates

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.

What should I do with a CFL when it burns out?

EPA recommends that consumers take advantage of available local recycling options for compact fluorescent light bulbs. EPA is working with CFL manufacturers and major U.S. retailers to expand recycling and disposal options. Consumers can contact their local municipal solid waste agency directly, or go to www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling or www.earth911.org to identify local recycling options.

If your state permits you to put used or broken CFLs in the garbage, seal the bulb in two plastic bags and put it into the outside trash, or other protected outside location, for the next normal trash collection. CFLs should not be disposed of in an incinerator.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 27th, 2008 at 8:14 am and is filed under Education, Energy Saver. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.