This happened when the light switch was turned on. We were able to turn the switch off quickly but it smelled so bad it took quite a while to air the room out. What would have happened if the bulb had cracked while we were away from home for several hours?Below is a list of things to do when a compact fluorescent bulb cracks:
1. Keep people and pets away. Open windows, and leave the area for 15 minutes before beginning the cleanup.
2. Do not use a vacuum cleaner, even on a carpet. This will spread the mercury vapor and dust and will potentially contaminate the vacuum.
3. Wear rubber gloves.
4. Carefully remove the larger pieces and place them in a secure closed container, preferably a glass jar with a metal screw top lid and seal it like a canning jar.
5. Scoop up the smaller pieces, as well as the dust, using two stiff pieces of paper such as index cards or playing cards.
6. Pick up fine particles with duct tape, packing tape, or masking tape, and then use a wet wipe or damp paper towel.
7. Put all waste into the glass container, including all material used in the cleanup.
8. Remove the clean-up container from your home and call your local solid waste district or municipality for disposal instructions.
9. Open windows during the next several times you vacuum the carpet to provide good ventilation.
10. As a precaution, consider discarding throw rugs on the area of carpet where the breakage occurred, particularly if the rug is in an area frequented by infants, small children or pregnant women.
If you still want to ‘go green’ and use one of those twisted bulbs thrust on us by twisted-science people, go right ahead.
Never mind that breathing the fumes of a CF bulb is a health hazard.
Never mind that the flickering of a CF bulb can cause or aggravate a migraine headache.
Never mind that electromagnetic radiation can be a problem if used in a desk lamp, bedside lamp or anywhere you will be close to the lamp.
Never mind that CF bulbs emit UV-radiation which is harmful to the skin (eg. skin cancer) and the eyes (eg. cataract). Several studies have found that fluorescent bulbs raise the risk for skin cancer when used in close proximity to people.
Never mind that flickering light from CF bulbs can lead to discomfort, headaches/migraines, eyestrain, diminished concentration, seizure-like symptoms in epileptics, worsened symptoms in people with Ménière’s disease, etc.
Link here and here.
A picture of my cave
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