May I recommend that this information be posted on the ST website? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Thomas Shelley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2008 10:55 PM Subject: [SustainableTompkins] broken CFL/mercury clean up
> Dear Friends--There has been some concern over the mercury content of > CFLs. This has bordered on hysteria in some circles. In extreme cases > people have called the local Haz Mat Squad over a broken CFL and then been > billed thousands of dollars for the clean up of one broken bulb. > > Mercury is indeed a hazardous material. Ingested or breathed in for a > long > enough time in sufficient concentration it can cause neurological > problems, > birth defects and many other very serious problems. The fact is that the > amount of mercury in a CFL is tiny, especially in the newer models. The > amount of mercury in the even the older style of CFLs is 125 times less > the > amount of mercury in a mercury medical thermometer. Since this amount is > so small, it is not of great concern if the broken bulb is cleaned up > properly: > > air out the room where the bulb broke > carefully clean up the broken glass and powder without lofting the > material > into the air > (don't use vigorous broom sweeping and never use a vacuum cleaner--gently > scrap up the glass and the powder with file cards or thin cardboard) > clean up the remaining dust with masking tape or duct tape > double wrap the broken glass and the clean up materials in heavy weight > zip-lock plastic bags > take the bag(s) to the next household hazardous waste day at the Tompkins > County Solid Waste Management District facility on Commercial Ave. > air the room out some more when you are finished with the cleanup > > Many special mercury clean up kits are available and most of them are o.k. > to use, but they are a waste of money. Many of them are also sold under > an > air of hysteria; some of the kit manufactures even state that you should > call the Haz Mat Squad OR use their product. > > The following link it to an EPA document on CFLs and the clean up of a > broken bulb. The procedures outlined by the EPA take more precautions > than > I feel are really needed for the level of mercury involved, but I suppose > it is more important to be overly cautious than not. > > http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf > > Another document dealing with not only the clean up of CFLs but other > larger mercury spills, such as broken thermometers is: > > http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#flourescent > > The obvious solution is not to break a CFL in the first place. As with > all > delicate bulbs they should always be handled with great care; never let > children change or handle CFLs. Even so, accidents happen and I hope this > is useful information for those who may need it one day. Take care. Tom > > P.S.: I am not pulling my information on the hazards of mercury and > mercury spill clean up procedures out of thin air. I am a chemist and a > hazardous materials expert by training and profession and I've been in the > field for over 30 years. If you have any questions about the above post, > please feel free to contact me off-line and I can supply you with > additional information. > > Tom Shelley > 118 E. Court St. > Ithaca, NY 14850 > 607 342-0864 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.myspace.com/99319958 > P I thank you for printing this e-mail only if it is necessary > > "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the > present > without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own > needs." > > The World Commission on Environment and Development, > Gro Harlem Brundtland > Our Common Future, Oxford University Press, 1987 > > MY NOTE: Sustainable development does not mean "sustainable growth" as > growth per se is not sustainable. And the term "sustainable" has to mean > "for a very long time" (A. Bartlett). > > "The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives." Sioux > proverb > Tom Shelley > 118 E. Court St. > Ithaca, NY 14850 > 607 342-0864 > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.myspace.com/99319958 > P I thank you for printing this e-mail only if it is necessary > > "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the > present > without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own > needs." > > The World Commission on Environment and Development, > Gro Harlem Brundtland > Our Common Future, Oxford University Press, 1987 > > MY NOTE: Sustainable development does not mean "sustainable growth" as > growth per se is not sustainable. And the term "sustainable" has to mean > "for a very long time" (A. Bartlett). > > "The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives." Sioux > proverb > _______________________________________________ > For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, > please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ > > RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: > [email protected] > http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins > free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org > _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
