What to do when compact fluorescents crack
Compact fluorescent lamps contain small amounts of toxic mercury that can
vaporize when the bulbs break, creating a potential health risk for infants,
young children, and pregnant women. If a lamp does break, follow these cleanup
procedures:
Keep people and pets away. Open windows, and leave the area for 15 minutes
before beginning the cleanup.
Do not use a vacuum cleaner, even on a carpet. This will spread the mercury
vapor and dust and potentially contaminate the vacuum.
Wear rubber gloves.
Carefully remove the larger pieces and place them in a secure closed container,
preferably a glass jar with a metal screw top lid and seal like a canning jar.
Next, scoop up the smaller pieces and dust using two stiff pieces of paper such
as index cards or playing cards.
Pick up fine particles with duct tape, packing tape, or masking tape, and then
use a wet wipe or damp paper towel.
Put all waste into the glass container, including all material used in the
cleanup. Remove the container from your home and call your local solid waste
district or municipality for disposal instructions.
Continue ventilating the room for several hours.
Wash your hands and face.
As a precaution, consider discarding throw rugs or the area of carpet where the
breakage occurred, particularly if the rug is in an area frequented by infants,
small children or pregnant women. Otherwise, open windows during the next
several times you vacuum the carpet to provide good ventilation.
SOURCES: Maine Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management; Mercury Policy
Project
© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
Mercury leaks found as new bulbs break
For more information Mercury Policy Project
Maine.gov Fluorescent light bulb information
check out my website......http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/arubyrogers/
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