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Broken CFL clean-up

CFL clean-up kit

To clean up safely after a CFL is broken, follow these steps from the Right-Light website:

1. Mercury vaporises readily at room temperature, so ventilate the room (by opening all the windows) for 15 minutes before you start the clean-up. Turn off all heating/air conditioning systems, heat pumps and dehumidifiers.
2. Don’t use a vacuum or a broom - this could vaporise the mercury and spread it through the room (as well as contaminating the vacuum cleaner or broom).
3. Put on a pair of rubber of latex gloves before cleaning up. This will help protect you against any cuts from the broken bulb.
4. Sweep up the big pieces of broken glass with a piece of stiff paper or cardboard. Then wrap these pieces in newspaper and place in a plastic bag. Use the sticky side of duct or some other wide tape to clean up the smaller pieces. Wrap these in newspaper too and place in the bag.
5. Wipe down the area with a damp paper towel. Place the used paper towels (and your gloves) in the plastic bag.
6. Store the sealed bag outside until the next rubbish collection.

For more information see our CFLs and mercury report.