- 1). Open any windows in the area where the bulb has been broken to air out any mercury vapors that may have spread from the bulb. Do not use fans as this can push mercury powder into the air.
- 2). Put on a pair of latex gloves to protect against the mercury powder that may have leaked out. If the bulb broke on a hard surface, such as a hard wood floor, use one piece of cardboard to push the pieces of the bulb onto another piece of cardboard.
If pieces of the bulb landed on a carpeted surface, use duct tape to pick up the pieces. Place the duct tape sticky-side down, and gently press it into the carpet to pick up the pieces. - 3). Carefully put the shards of bulb glass into a glass jar or thick plastic bag. When finished with the cardboard or duct tape pieces, place those into the jar or bag. Seal the container.
Take it to a recycling center that handles compact fluorescent light bulbs. You can find one by contacting your local waste management office or the store where you purchased the bulbs. If one is not available, double bag the jar or plastic bag, and place it in the trash. - 4). Throw away any fabrics that the bulb glass directly touched. This includes clothing and bedding. If shards of glass are on these fabrics, mercury powder may be embedded in them. Do not put them in the washer or dryer as this can spread the mercury and contaminate future loads of laundry.
- 5). Open windows before you vacuum the area for the next few times that you clean. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag promptly after running the vacuum. Do not use the vacuum to clean up the glass shards or immediately after the bulb breaks.
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