What to Do If a CFL Bulb Breaks, EPA's Cleanup Steps

When a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) or fluorescent tube breaks, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says to leave the room and air it out for 5 to 10 minutes, then scoop up the debris instead of vacuuming. These bulbs contain a small amount of mercury sealed in the glass, and some may be released as vapor when it breaks.

That does not call for panic. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) points out that a CFL contains less than 1/100th of the mercury in a mercury thermometer. But EPA does recommend a specific cleanup routine, and the most instinctive move, grabbing the vacuum, is the one it tells you to skip.

1. Which bulbs this applies to

EPA's steps cover CFLs and other mercury-containing bulbs, including:

• linear, U-tube, and circline fluorescent tubes
• bug zappers, tanning bulbs, black lights, and germicidal bulbs
• high-intensity discharge bulbs such as metal halide, high-pressure sodium, and mercury vapor
• neon bulbs

If you are not sure what broke, check the base or packaging of a matching bulb.

2. Before you clean up

EPA's first steps happen before you touch anything:

1. Get people and pets out of the room, avoiding the breakage area on the way.
2. Air out the room for 5 to 10 minutes by opening a window or door to the outdoors, then leave the room for that time.
3. Shut off the central forced-air heating or air conditioning if you have it, so the system does not circulate vapor.
4. Gather supplies:
   • stiff paper or cardboard
   • sticky tape, such as duct tape
   • damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes (for hard surfaces)
   • a glass jar with a metal lid, such as a canning jar, or a sealable plastic bag

3. Cleaning a hard floor

1. Scoop the glass fragments and powder with the stiff paper or cardboard, and put the debris and the paper into the glass jar.
2. Tape up the remaining small fragments and powder, and put the used tape in the jar.
3. Wipe the area with damp paper towels or wet wipes, and put those in the jar too.

EPA prefers the glass jar for a reason: a plastic bag will not prevent mercury vapor from escaping. If you use bags, EPA says to take them out of the home after cleanup.

4. Cleaning carpet or a rug

Scoop and tape the same way. Skip the damp wipes on carpet.

The next several times you vacuum that rug, EPA suggests:

• shut off the HVAC system,
• close doors to other rooms,
• open a window or door to the outside before vacuuming,
• change the vacuum bag after each use in that area, and
• keep the system off and the window open for several hours afterward, as practical.

5. About the vacuum

EPA's rule is clear: do not vacuum unless broken glass remains after all the other steps. Vacuuming could spread mercury-containing powder or vapor, though EPA notes the information on this is limited.

If you do need to vacuum to get the last glass, EPA's tips are to keep a window or door open, use the hose attachment if you have one, and then remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and seal the bag, debris, and any cleaning materials in a plastic bag.

6. After cleanup

• Take it outside promptly. Put all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum bags, in an outdoor trash container or protected area until disposal. Do not leave fragments or materials indoors.
• Check local rules. EPA says some localities require fluorescent bulbs, broken or not, to go to a recycling center. If there is no such requirement, you can put the materials in household trash.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the containers.
• Keep airing out the room and leave the HVAC off for several hours, as practical.

7. Preventing the next break

EPA's tips:

• Let a working CFL cool before handling it.
• Screw and unscrew it by the plastic or ceramic base, never by twisting the glass tubing, and tighten only until snug.
• Avoid CFLs in lamps that are easily knocked over, in unprotected fixtures, or in play areas. EPA mentions LEDs as an alternative there.
• Consider bulbs with a glass or plastic cover over the tube, which may be more durable if dropped.
• Lay a drop cloth, such as a plastic sheet or beach towel, under you when changing a fluorescent bulb. If it breaks, the cloth catches the debris and can be bundled up for disposal.

8. A thermometer is a different job

People sometimes treat a broken CFL and a broken mercury thermometer the same way. Poison Help, the national poison control line run through the Health Resources and Services Administration, says spilled thermometer mercury gives off fumes that are poisonous if breathed, says not to vacuum it, and advises calling 1-800-222-1222 for cleanup advice. Given EPA's comparison, a thermometer holds far more mercury than a CFL, so make that call.

9. When to call

EPA reminds readers that its steps are precautions reflecting best practices. If you could not follow them all, it says not to be alarmed. If you are concerned about your health after a broken CFL, EPA suggests calling your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222, any time, or consulting your physician.

10. Key takeaways

• A CFL holds less than 1/100th of a thermometer's mercury, but EPA still recommends a careful cleanup.
• Clear the room, air it out for 5 to 10 minutes, and shut off forced-air heating or cooling.
• Scoop with cardboard, pick up bits with tape, wipe hard floors, and seal everything in a glass jar with a metal lid.
• Do not vacuum unless glass remains after all other steps, and then bag the vacuum debris.
• Move debris outdoors, check local disposal rules, and call 1-800-222-1222 with questions.