Energy Efficient Light Bulbs – What You Need to Know!  

August 1, 2008

From the Desk of Commissioner Mary McCarty

Most energy efficiency compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) contain mercury, an environmental toxin that is poisoning, flammable and explosive.   Reportedly, it can be quite serious if a bulb breaks and the odorless and tasteless toxic vapor is left untreated.  According to the EPA, the following steps are recommended if a new-tech bulb breaks indoors: 

• Clear the room of people and pets and try not to step on shards of broken glass.
  
  
• Shut off your air conditioner or heating system.
  
  
• Open a window and keep everyone out of the room for at least 15 minutes.
   
• If the shards are on a hard surface, use rubber gloves and a piece of cardboard to gather the bits of broken glass.  Seal them in a glass jar with a metal lid or put them in a sealed plastic bag.
  
  
• Use adhesive tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any powder and fragments that remain.  Only vacuum if the glass falls on a carpet and only after you have picked up the visible fragments.  Vacuuming tends to break apart the mercury and spread the contamination.
  
  
• Immediately place all cleanup materials, container and garbage bags outside your home.
  
  
• The next several times you clean the room, shut off the central heating/AC system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
  
  
• Solid Waste Authority requests that all CFLs (broken or intact) be disposed of at one of their local recycling facilities. For locations go to: http://www.swa.org/site/recycling/Dropoffs/dropoff.htm.
  
  
• Please do not dispose CFLs with any regular or recyclable garbage.

As always, you may contact my office at 561-276-1220 or e-mail me at MMCCarty@pbcgov.org, if you have any questions or concerns.

Commissioner Mary McCarty