Chris Rodinis
February 12th, 2013
http://www2.epa.gov/cfl/cleaning-broken-cfl-detailed-instructions
CFL, the compact fluorescent lamp, who can argue with that?
I borrowed this intro from Wikipedia because it fit http://goo.gl/dqRc
A light comes on..the image of the bulb…for me…that thin glass with a short thick stem was always very fragile inside and out….Today we have a slender white tube eloquently curved or folded to fit into the space of that bulb known as “incandescent.”……. CFLs use one-fifth to one-third the electric power, and last eight to fifteen times longer….now for your E-waste Challenge Du’jour:….Like all fluorescent lamps, CFLs contain mercury, which complicates their disposal. In many countries, governments have established recycling schemes for CFLs and glass generally!
Nothing like some toxic mercury splattered across your child’s floor to brighten your day!
Keep in mind that CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury — less than 1/100th of the amount in a mercury thermometer.
Skipping the laws of entropy…imagine this: it’s CLEANUP time!
A Mini Toxic Dump
To start off, you can SHOUT OUT: EVERYBODY OUT including Fido! And please ask them to avoid the breakage area on the way out.
Next open a window or door to the outdoors and exit the room for 5 to 10 minutes.
After that, shut off your central AC or heater, if you have one.
Gather up the things you will use for removing the mess. Recommended by the EPA are the following: 1) stiff paper or cardboard, 2) sticky tape, 3) damp paper towels, 4) sealable plastic bag
Gently scoop up the fragments and powder using the stiff paper or cardboard and place the debris in the sealable plastic bag. Later on, this bag must be removed from the home.
Then use sticky tape to pick up the remaining fragments and toxic powder. Place that dirty tape into the bag.
Next, wipe the area with the moist paper towels and place them into the bag.
On a hard surface only vacuum if necessary or if you see additional fragments. Then the vacuum bag must disposed of properly. The plastic bag or glass jar with a secure lid must also be properly disposed.
Find Your Local Toxic Waste Handler
Click here and type your zip code for your local toxic hazard disposal location: http://www.earth911.org/
Avoid keeping the mercury waste indoors during the interim.
Wash your hands with soap and water. Continue to air out the room for several hours.
Here is some special info for carpets: next several times you vacuum the rug or carpet, shut off the H&AC system if you have one, close the doors to other rooms, and open a window or door to the outside before vacuuming. Change the vacuum bag after each use in this area. After vacuuming is completed, keep the H&AC system shut off and the window or door to the outside open, as practical, for several hours.
For more information about electronic waste or computer recycling please visit: www.EwasteWiz.com