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WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I BREAK A CFL?

Two words: Be careful!

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) contain tiny amounts of mercury, which can be harmful if it’s released into the environment. The mercury is sealed within the glass light bulb, so there’s no danger to anyone while you burn the CFL. A problem will arise only if you break a bulb or if you throw one in the trash (so recycle it instead!).
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued guidelines for cleaning up if you drop a bulb at home and it breaks:
 

  1. Get everyone (including your pets) out of the room and open all of the windows. If you have a central forced-air air conditioning or heating system, shut it off.
  2. If the bulb breaks on a hard surface, like the floor, use a dust pan or stiff piece of cardboard to carefully sweep up glass fragments and powder. (Do not use a vacuum cleaner or a broom!) Place them in a glass jar with a metal lid or in a sealed plastic sandwich bag. Use a piece of duct tape or heavy packaging tape to pick up any remnants of the glass and powder. Using damp paper towels, wash the area clean. Do not use a mop.
  3. If the bulb breaks on a carpet, follow the same procedure. If you need to vacuum the area to make sure you got everything, remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe down the canister) and seal the bag or debris is a plastic bag. 
  4. Get the debris out of your house immediately. Take the sealed plastic bags of broken glass and spilled mercury to a recycling center.
  5. Wash your hands.
  6. The next few times you clean the room, open the windows and shut off the central forced-air a/c before you vacuum.

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