How do I safely dispose of broken fluorescent tubes and bulbs?
These are general guidlines only. Please seek professional advice for individual scenarios e.g. carpeted areas, waxed floors etc..
What is needed?
- Rubber gloves
- Glass jar with lid
- Broom and dustpan
- Vacuum cleaner
- Damp rag or paper towels
Method
1.Open the window in the room with the broken CFL and let it air out for about 15 minutes. Turn off the heating and air conditioning so the vaporized mercury does not spread to the rest of the house.
2. Use a pair of rubber dishwashing gloves to pick up bigger pieces of glass from the light bulb. Put the pieces into a glass jar. Use a broom and dustpan to scoop up the rest of the broken pieces.
3. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean up any remaining pieces on the floor.
4. Use a damp rag or paper towel to wipe down the area where the light bulb broke.
5. Empty the vacuum cleaner's containment canister into a garbage bag. Put all of the cleaning tools and the glass container in the same garbage bag. Throw everything away in your trash can. Wash your hands immediately afterward
