CLEANING UP A BROKEN CFB (COMPACT FLUORESCENT BULB)

I think it's better just not to use them since they are likely to end up in lanfills and who knows where across america, and the mercury from one broken CFB (about 5 Milligrams) can contaminate 6000 gallons of drinking water. And at this time Only 7 states ban disposing them as general waste California, Minnesota, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin. Just in case you do break one the EPA has an 11 step protocol to clean-up, and number one is evacuate:

1. Open the window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
2. Shut off the central air or heat.

CLEAN UP FOR HARD SURFACES

3. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with a metal lid, or in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Use sicky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
5. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
6. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

CLEAN UP FOR CARPET OR RUG

3. Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with a metal lid, or in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Use sicky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
5. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
6. 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

7. Immediately place all clean-up materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.
8. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
9. 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 lamps be taken to a local recycling center.

FUTURE CLEANING OF CARPET OR RUG: VENT THE ROOM DURING AND AFTER VACUUMING

10. For at least the next few times you vacuum, shut off the forced air heating or air-conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
11. Keep the forced air heating or air-conditioning off for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

This all seems quite scary to me and I'm not really convinced that I would be safe even after following this protocol, what do you think?.....

Light & Love,
Till Next Time,
Lisa