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Mercury in compact fluorescent bulbs
Compact fluorescent bulbs are an easy way to save electricity. Many light fixtures are easy to convert by simply screwing in the new CF bulb. There are specific things you need to do when it's time to dispose of a CF bulb.
- Never just toss a burned out compact fluorescent bulb in the trash. Take it to a conscious recycling place. I read a recent tidbit that said the small amount of mercury in one bulb is enough to make 6,000 gallons of water undrinkable. Mercury is a neurotoxin that causes liver and brain damage.
- What do you do if one falls and breaks in your presence? The EPA apparently gave the following guidelines, which make you want to be very careful when handling them so they don't break. Here are some of the EPA's 11-step procedure you should follow:
- Air out the room for a quarter of an hour.
- Wear gloves.
- Double-bag the refuse.
- Use duct tape to lift the residue from a carpet.
- Don't use a vacuum cleaner, as that will only spread the problem. The next time you vacuum the area, immediately dispose of the vacuum bag.
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