Can Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) be disposed of as normal household waste?
Can CFL bulbs be disposed of in an incinerator?
Will the original manufacturer of a CFL make arrangements to take back a burnt out CFL?
I want to replace my CFL bulbs, are they safe to handle?
If I am allowed to dispose of burnt out or broken CFL bulbs with normal waste what precautions should I take?
What should I do if a CFL bulb breaks?
What are the health implications of exposure to mercury?
Can Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) be disposed of as normal household waste?
Compact fluorescent light bulbs contain small quantities of mercury, which is a toxic element. Many local environmental authorities have regulations against disposing of CFLs with normal household waste. We recommend that you check with your state or local environmental authority to find out what guidelines it has for disposing of CFL bulbs.
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Can CFL bulbs be disposed of in an incinerator?
Never burn CFLs or send them to a disposal service that might incinerate waste. Incinerating CFLs releases poisonous mercury vapor into the atmosphere.
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Will the original manufacturer of a CFL make arrangements to take back a burnt out CFL?
Maybe. Check with the manufacturer's website to see if they make any arrangements for the return of used CFLs. The manufacturer might make a charge for this.
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I want to replace my CFL bulbs, are they safe to handle?
As long as the glass bulb is unbroken there are no hazards associated with handling a CFL bulb.
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If I am allowed to dispose of burnt out or broken CFL bulbs with normal waste what precautions should I take?
If your state or local environmental authority allows CFL bulbs to be disposed of with normal household waste the CFL bulb should be sealed in two plastic bags and put with the garbage in a secure place outdoors. Never put CFL bulbs with garbage that might be incinerated.
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What should I do if a CFL bulb breaks?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) makes the following recommendations.
Before Clean-up: Air Out the Room
* Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
* Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
* Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.
Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces
* Carefully scoop up glass pieces and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
* Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
* Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place towels in the glass jar or plastic bag.
* Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug
* Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
* Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
* If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
* Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
Clean-up Steps for Clothing, Bedding and Other Soft Materials
* If clothing or bedding materials come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from inside the bulb that may stick to the fabric, the clothing or bedding should be thrown away. Do not wash such clothing or bedding because mercury fragments in the clothing may contaminate the machine and/or pollute sewage.
* You can, however, wash clothing or other materials that have been exposed to the mercury vapor from a broken CFL, such as the clothing you are wearing when you cleaned up the broken CFL, as long as that clothing has not come into direct contact with the materials from the broken bulb.
* If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury-containing powder from the bulb, wipe them off with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes. Place the towels or wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.
Disposal of Clean-up Materials
* Immediately place all clean-up materials outdoors in a trash container or protected area for the next normal trash pickup.
* Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
* Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states do not allow such trash disposal. Instead, they require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.
Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Air Out the Room During and After Vacuuming
* The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window before vacuuming.
* Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.
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What are the health implications of exposure to mercury?
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, and it is especially dangerous for children and unborn babies.
Elemental (metallic) mercury primarily causes health effects when it is breathed as a vapor where it can be absorbed through the lungs. These exposures can occur when elemental mercury is spilled or products that contain elemental mercury break and expose mercury to the air, particularly in warm or poorly-ventilated indoor spaces. People concerned about their exposure to elemental mercury should consult their physician.
