We all know the compact florescent (CFL) replacement bulbs have become a popular energy saving alternative to the older, conventional incandescent bulbs. They last longer, deliver equal brightness and consume much less energy. Sounds perfect right? Well, almost. There is one important draw-back to CFL's and other florescent bulbs. They have been proven to release toxic levels of mercury into the air if they are broken. With this post I wanted to provide some tips on how to safely clean up and dispose of broken florescent bulbs. Follow these safety tips anytime you find yourself dealing with broken florescents.
1. Ventilate the room, open windows and let the room air out. Avoid breathing in the air after the bulb breaks.
2. Don't re-enter for 30 minutes if possible. Let the room completely air out before re-entering.
3. Pick up the large pieces of broken glass first. The smaller pieces can be lifted with tape later.
4. Place glass in a sealable container before throwing away.
5. Do NOT use a vacuum cleaner as this worsens the problem by blowing the toxins back into the air
6. Do NOT use a broom and dustpan. As with the vacuum cleaner this also exacerbates the issue by putting the toxins back in the air.
I hope everyone finds this information to be helpful. Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas if you have any other tips that aren't listed above.
Until next time.
Sustainably yours,
Scott Medlin
No comments:
Post a Comment