Disposal of Broken Fluorescent Tubes

Fluorescent tubes contain a small amount of mercury. This applies to the full spectrum of fluorescent bulbs, including compact fluorescent bulbs, tanning bulbs, linear bulbs, U-tube bulbs and bug zappers. Mercury requires special handling and disposal because it can poison ground water and, therefore, drinking water. Mercury's effect on the body includes trembling hands, memory loss and difficulty moving.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Dust mask
• Stiff cardboard
• Glass jar with lid
• Plastic bags
• Cardboard tube or packaging
• Duct tape
• Vacuum cleaner

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Instructions

• 1

  Air out the room for 15 minutes and have people and pets leave the room. Shut off any ventilation system.

• 2

  Put on gloves and a dust mask to reduce lung and skin exposure.

• 3

  Scoop up broken glass and powder using stiff paper or cardboard. Place them in a glass jar with a metal lid, such as a canning jar as a first option. As a second option, put them in a sealed plastic bag. Put any large sections of a broken bulb in plastic bags and seal them tightly. To prevent a puncture, tape a cardboard toilet paper or paper towel tube or cardboard fluorescent bulb packaging over the broken end.

• 4

  Use duct tape or other sticky tape to lift off any smaller glass pieces or powder. Afterward, vacuum any carpeting, if applicable. Remove the vacuum bag and seal it in a plastic bag.

• 5

  Throw out bedding or clothing that came in direct contact with mercury. Seal it in a plastic bag. Wipe shoes in direct contact with mercury with a wet paper towel. Seal the towel in a plastic bag.

• 6

  Take all bagged cleanup material to a recycling center. You can find such a center by calling 800-CLEAN-UP, or by going to earth911.com. Your local and state laws may allow you to throw the bags out in the regular garbage.