Still Want a CFL?

The EPA has updated cleanup guidelines for broken CFL bulbs in a house. Considering that incandescent light bulbs are soon to be banned and LEDs are less than compelling at this point you may want to stock up. The nasty part of the mercury in the CFLs is an inhaleable form that is released when a CFL breaks. Respiratory inhalation of mercury in any amount is not good regardless of what the EPA or other pro-CFL groups present.

Mercury has long term negative physiological effects.

In humans, approximately 80% of inhaled mercury vapor is absorbed via the respiratory tract where it enters the circulatory system and is distributed throughout the body.[16] Chronic exposure by inhalation, even at low concentrations in the range 0.7–42 μg/m3, has been shown in case control studies to cause effects such as tremors, impaired cognitive skills, and sleep disturbance in workers.

Here are some highlights for cleaning broken CFL bulbs.

• Open a window and leave the area
  
• Turn off the HVAC for several hours

I recommend you read the document below as it is informative and very short.


cflcleanup -