Fluorescent lights get their glow from the mercury trapped inside, and the compact fluorescents (CFLs) used for energy efficient household lighting are the same. Mercury is toxic, exposure and handling broken fluorescent bulbs is very risky.

Mercury poisoning (also known as hydrargyria or mercurialism) is a type of metal poisoning and a medical condition caused by exposure to mercury or its compounds. Elemental mercury does cause damage by blocking blood vessels. Toxic effects include damage to the brain, kidneys and lungs. Mercury poisoning can result in several diseases, including acrodynia (pink disease), Hunter-Russell syndrome, and Minamata disease.

Symptoms typically include sensory impairment (vision, hearing, speech), disturbed sensation and a lack of coordination. The type and degree of symptoms exhibited depend upon the individual toxin, the dose, and the method and duration of exposure.


Standard Mercury Cleanup Guide
If you break a new fluorescent bulb, it will release more mercury than a spent bulb will release. If you break a fluorescent bulb, you’ll need to be careful to clean up the area while avoiding or minimizing your exposure to the mercury.
Here’s how to safely handle fluorescent bulbs:
• When handling fluorescent bulbs on carpeted surfaces, put a drop cloth down to prevent contamination if a bulb breaks. Because it can be difficult to remove mercury contamination from carpets, it’s best to remove and replace the carpet if a bulb breaks onto it.
• Put on rubber gloves to protect yourself from broken glass.
• If you break a bulb, open the windows in the area and then leave; let the air clear for 15 minutes to reduce mercury vapor levels before returning to clean up the broken bulb. The room should be ventilated for several hours after the bulb breaks.
• Keep people and pets out of the area until cleanup is complete.
• Prepare a sealable container that will hold all broken glass and materials used to cleanup and that will prevent further release of mercury vapors.
• Carefully pick up large pieces of glass and put them in the prepared disposal container.
• Use two stiff pieces of paper, such as index cards, to collect smaller shards and dust.
• Use sticky tape, such as duct tape or packing tape, to pat the area and pick up fine particles.
• Go over the area with a damp paper towel to clean up the finest particles.
• Put all debris and cleanup materials into the prepared disposal container and label as “Universal Waste—broken lamp.”
• Place the sealed container in an appropriate storage area for universal waste; when it is ultimately discarded, it should be disposed of as universal waste.
• Wash your gloves, then remove them and wash your hands and face.
Don’t use a vacuum cleaner or broom to clean up broken fluorescent bulbs. Vacuuming or sweeping will spread mercury vapor and dust throughout the area and contaminate the vacuum.
LEDs offer better energy efficiency, longer lifespans, and zero mercury inside the bulbs. If the higher price tag is a deal breaker, then consider halogens. The gas each one uses to prolong the bulb’s lifespan is totally harmless. A broken CFL might be an annoying chore to deal with, but it’s also an opportunity to upgrade to a bulb that’s a better fit for your home.

Source:http://safetywiseblog.com/safe-handling-of-broken-mercury-fluorescent-bulbs/