| Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are in because | | | | bulb breaks. First of all, it is important for people and |
| they’re green but should be taken out immediately | | | | pets to leave the area right away. You must also |
| when broken because they have quicksilver. | | | | immediately ventilate the area by opening doors and |
| Mercury is the element that enables CFLs to emit | | | | windows, and prevent circulation of the fumes by |
| white light. Just like the tube lights of old, they have | | | | turning off the heater. |
| about five milligrams of quicksilver. This is minute | | | | Wait about 15 minutes before you start cleaning up the |
| compared to what’s in thermostat switches that | | | | area. To do that, make sure to wear gloves because |
| have as much as 3,000 milligrams of mercury, which is | | | | contact with the heavy metal is harmful. Do not use |
| like having 600 CFLs in one place. Unlike the case for | | | | the vacuum cleaner or a broom to clean up. Instead, |
| thermostat switches, thermometers and some | | | | use cardboard or stiff paper to pick up the larger |
| automotive parts in which mercury use is being phased | | | | fragments. For the smaller fragments, it is best to use |
| out, this cannot be done as yet for CFLs because no | | | | duct tape. When this is done, use wet cloth or paper |
| better technology is in place. | | | | towel to wipe out any trace of the broken bulb. |
| But why must we be careful about broken CFLs? | | | | Care must also be taken with disposal. Use a sealable |
| When the bulb is broken, the mercury is released as a | | | | plastic bag for the broken bulb and then take it out of |
| vapor and as a fine powder. This poses a health risk | | | | the house right away as plastics cannot keep mercury |
| to both humans and animals because mercury is also | | | | fumes in. For best results, use a glass jar with a metal |
| highly toxic. It has been linked to brain damage in both | | | | lid. Although authorities say the health risk is low |
| fetuses and children. In one documented case, it was | | | | when fluorescents end up in landfills, it is illegal in many |
| learned that severe rashes and weight loss of a | | | | areas to dispose light bulbs with your everyday trash. |
| 23-month-old baby resulted from its exposure to | | | | Your options include municipal waste facilities and |
| mercury from a series of 2.4-meter tube lights that | | | | some vendors that accept CFLs as part of their |
| broke in the play area. Exposure to mercury is harmful | | | | recycling program. IKEA takes these in its stores at no |
| to adults as well, leading to a range of diseases from | | | | cost. You may also check out the EPA website or |
| Alzheimer’s to depression. | | | | Earth 911 to find a collection site near you. |
| Authorities have outlined the steps to take when a light | | | | |