Are broken bulbs hazardous?
The bulbs contain inert gases and approximately 1.5mg. (10w linear) to 10mg (40w linear) of mercury (about the size of a period at the end of a printed sentence). The powder seen in and around a broken tube is from the phosphors most of which remains stuck to the glass. The mercury mostly remains in a liquid state embedded in the phosphors. Exposure from a single bulb is well below OSHA established exposure levels. Clean up using good safety practices would be to sweep up the glass and powder then wipe the area with a disposable moist cloth. DO NOT VACUUM, vacuuming will vaporize the mercury. Dispose of cleaning materials inside a plastic bag as normal household trash.
Related Questions
- Compact fluorescent lamps contain mercury, a hazardous material, incandescent bulbs do not. If more compact fluorescent lamps are used, does it not mean more mercury pollution in the EU?
- Ive heard that low energy bulbs contain mercury - isn that bad for the environment or hazardous to humans?
- Are broken bulbs hazardous?
