Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Grasswire2

(13,708 posts)
Sun Sep 29, 2019, 07:02 PM Sep 2019

So today a burned-out 4-foot flourescent tube bulb exploded on my kitchen floor.

A cloud of vapor/powder sprayed out with the glass shards and bits.

I started to vacuum and sweep before I googled to see that was the wrong thing to do.

I opened the window for several hours, finished trying to clean up the powder and the tiny tiny bits of glass.

I then wiped floor with damp paper towel. Put all the debris in paper bag to go to hazmat center.

Also took my bagless cannister out of vacuum cleaner to be emptied similarly.

Plan to wash throw rug.

Have I done enough?

I'm worried about kitty. I immediately shut her in adjacent room.

I'm worried about how much I may have inhaled.

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
So today a burned-out 4-foot flourescent tube bulb exploded on my kitchen floor. (Original Post) Grasswire2 Sep 2019 OP
Here are guidelines for how to clean up a broken flourescent bulb: Liberty Belle Sep 2019 #1
Wow. Never even thought about it. blm Sep 2019 #3
this is a four foot long older flourescent tube. Grasswire2 Sep 2019 #4
The actual amount of mercury in one of those tubes is very small The Velveteen Ocelot Sep 2019 #2
well, here I sit eating a cod dinner. :-) nt Grasswire2 Sep 2019 #5
When we were kids we'd play with the little beads of mercury The Velveteen Ocelot Sep 2019 #8
That's true. Grasswire2 Sep 2019 #9
You had the fish? Hassin Bin Sober Oct 2019 #10
Oh dear - I used to delight in throwing pnwest Sep 2019 #6
thanks for the tip. i had one go out and burnt out my lamp fixture which set off the master AllaN01Bear Sep 2019 #7

Liberty Belle

(9,611 posts)
1. Here are guidelines for how to clean up a broken flourescent bulb:
Sun Sep 29, 2019, 07:14 PM
Sep 2019
https://www.hazwastehelp.org/mercury/broken.aspx

How to clean up a broken fluorescent bulb or tube

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and tubes save energy and are safe to use but they contain mercury. If you break one, follow these instructions to safely clean it up before you recycle or safely dispose of the waste.
Do not sweep it. Do not vacuum.
How to clean up a broken compact fluorescent light bulb or tube from hard surfaces such as a tile floor or countertop

Have people and pets leave the room. DO NOT let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
Open windows and shut off central forced-air heating/cooling system if you have one then leave the room to vent vapors for at least 15 minutes.
Remove jewelry and put on rubber gloves.
Use stiff paper or cardboard to pick up large pieces.
Place them in a secure closed container, preferably a glass jar with a metal screw top lid and seal like a canning jar. This type of container works best to contain the mercury vapors.
Use index cards or playing cards to pick up small pieces and powder.
Use sticky tape, such as duct tape or masking tape to pick up fine particles.
Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or wet wipe.
Place all materials used to clean-up into a sealed container, preferably glass.
Continue ventilating the room for several hours.
If clothing, bedding or other soft materials have come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury powder, they should be taken to your local household hazardous waste facility. DO NOT wash in washing machine, sink or by other methods. Place soft materials in a sealed plastic bag.
If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury powder, DO NOT spread mercury over a larger area. Wipe shoes with a damp paper towel or wet wipe and place towel or wipe into a sealed container, preferably glass.
Immediately place all clean-up materials in a protected area away from children and pets.
Wash your hands.
Dispose of cleaning supplies, broken bulbs and tubes and clothing, bedding or other soft materials at your local household hazardous waste facility – not in your garbage.


How to clean up a broken compact fluorescent light bulb or tube from carpet.

Follow the same instructions as for cleaning-up on a hard surface.

Consider removing and disposing of throw rugs or the area of carpet where the breakage occurred as a precaution, particularly if the rug is in an area frequented by infants, small children or pregnant women.
If the carpet is not removed, shut off central forced air heating/cooling system and open the window to the room during the next several times you vacuum the carpet to provide good ventilation. Remove the vacuum bag and put the bag in a sealed plastic bag outside of the house. Take the sealed plastic bag to a household hazardous waste facility for disposal.
How to clean up a broken fluorescent bulb or tube

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and tubes save energy and are safe to use but they contain mercury. If you break one, follow these instructions to safely clean it up before you recycle or safely dispose of the waste.
Do not sweep it. Do not vacuum.
How to clean up a broken compact fluorescent light bulb or tube from hard surfaces such as a tile floor or countertop

Have people and pets leave the room. DO NOT let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
Open windows and shut off central forced-air heating/cooling system if you have one then leave the room to vent vapors for at least 15 minutes.
Remove jewelry and put on rubber gloves.
Use stiff paper or cardboard to pick up large pieces.
Place them in a secure closed container, preferably a glass jar with a metal screw top lid and seal like a canning jar. This type of container works best to contain the mercury vapors.
Use index cards or playing cards to pick up small pieces and powder.
Use sticky tape, such as duct tape or masking tape to pick up fine particles.
Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or wet wipe.
Place all materials used to clean-up into a sealed container, preferably glass.
Continue ventilating the room for several hours.
If clothing, bedding or other soft materials have come in direct contact with broken glass or mercury powder, they should be taken to your local household hazardous waste facility. DO NOT wash in washing machine, sink or by other methods. Place soft materials in a sealed plastic bag.
If shoes come into direct contact with broken glass or mercury powder, DO NOT spread mercury over a larger area. Wipe shoes with a damp paper towel or wet wipe and place towel or wipe into a sealed container, preferably glass.
Immediately place all clean-up materials in a protected area away from children and pets.
Wash your hands.
Dispose of cleaning supplies, broken bulbs and tubes and clothing, bedding or other soft materials at your local household hazardous waste facility – not in your garbage.


How to clean up a broken compact fluorescent light bulb or tube from carpet.

Follow the same instructions as for cleaning-up on a hard surface.

Consider removing and disposing of throw rugs or the area of carpet where the breakage occurred as a precaution, particularly if the rug is in an area frequented by infants, small children or pregnant women.
If the carpet is not removed, shut off central forced air heating/cooling system and open the window to the room during the next several times you vacuum the carpet to provide good ventilation. Remove the vacuum bag and put the bag in a sealed plastic bag outside of the house. Take the sealed plastic bag to a household hazardous waste facility for disposal.


(Note: After realizing the hazards of compact mercury fluorescent bulbs a few years ago, I got rid of them all. Not worth the health risks in my view, but since yours broke on a hard surface and you did take reasonable steps you'll probably be fine.

Grasswire2

(13,708 posts)
4. this is a four foot long older flourescent tube.
Sun Sep 29, 2019, 07:52 PM
Sep 2019

Not one of the new things.

I'm keeping kitty out of the area probably til tomorrow and will clean the floor again before letting her have access.

So many tiny, tiny glass particles.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(120,836 posts)
2. The actual amount of mercury in one of those tubes is very small
Sun Sep 29, 2019, 07:15 PM
Sep 2019

and is unlikely to cause adverse effects from a single exposure. The cleanup you did is recommended because mercury is a hazardous substance, but one source I found says the amount of spilled mercury is the equivalent of a helping of fish. https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/environment/info-08-2011/broken-fluorescent-bulb-ask-the-experts.html No need to panic.

The Velveteen Ocelot

(120,836 posts)
8. When we were kids we'd play with the little beads of mercury
Sun Sep 29, 2019, 09:11 PM
Sep 2019

that came from thermometers, rolling them around in our hands. I don't know of anybody who got mercury poisoning, me included. Of course it's hazardous and shouldn't be handled (which we didn't realize then), but the light bulb/tube cleanup instructions are offered out of an abundance of caution.

Grasswire2

(13,708 posts)
9. That's true.
Sun Sep 29, 2019, 10:57 PM
Sep 2019

But inhaling the vapor sounds particularly yucko.

And then there are the tiny tiny bits of glass everywhere. Nine hours later I'm still finding bits that glisten in the light.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»DIY & Home Improvement»So today a burned-out 4-f...