Everyone would like to Stay Green in Santa Fe but accidents happen.
A broken compact fluorescent bulb isn’t cause for panic, but it is cause for concern. CFLs and other fluorescent bulbs typically contain a small amount of mercury, which can turn into dangerous mercury vapor if the bulb breaks.
Contain the damage: Get people and pets out of the room. Open the windows to let in fresh air.
Gather up cleaning supplies: disposable rubber gloves, duct tape, a sealable container
Cleaning up your broken CFL:
- Put on the gloves and pick up the big pieces of broken glass.
- Use the stiff cardboard to scoop up the smaller pieces.
- Use the sticky side of the duct tape to pick up the smallest shards.
- Wipe the area with your paper towels or baby wipes.
- Put the broken CFL pieces, the cardboard, and the wipes in your container and seal it.
Double-check your work
Take out the trash
Clean yourself
Continue to air out the room