Sweeping the pieces of a broken compact fluorescent bulb into a paper or plastic bag apparently isn’t such a good idea… Much greater care is required, according to guidelines released last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

While the cleanup steps may frighten some consumers, people needn’t feel uncomfortable having the bulbs in their homes, said Kathy Jacobitz, managing director of the Nebraska Regional Poison Center.
“This is something to be aware of, but not something that should worry people,” Jacobitz said. “The amount of mercury in a CFL bulb is minimal.”
The health threat from the mercury in a broken bulb would occur from breathing in vapors that are released.
That’s why vaccuming should be avoided, Jacobitz said. Mercury poisoning, which isn’t likely from one broken bulb, can cause respiratory, digestive or nervous system damage.
Studies indicate that the vapors released from a broken bulb peak within the first five minutes, according to the EPA, which is why a five- to 10-minute wait before cleanup is recommended.[SO THIS IS FLOATING AROUND INSIDE YOUR HOME FOR 15 MINUTES…HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN HOLD THEIR BREATH THAT LONG HMMMM???]
The bulbs are becoming increasingly common because of their energy savings and environmental benefits.[PLUS THEY HAVE OUTLAWED INCANDECENT BULBS]
In southeast Nebraska, for example, consumers redeemed 59,000 discount coupons offered by the Omaha Public Power District in 2010, said spokesman Jeff Hanson. That’s a little more than double the number redeemed last year, he said.
A compact fluorescent bulb uses about 75 percent less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and lasts up to 10 times longer, according to the EPA.
Use of the bulbs reduces demand for electricity, which lessens the amount of pollution— greenhouse gases and mercury [UNLESS YOU BREAK ONE THAT IS…]— from traditional power plants.
CFL bulbs are expected to become even more common when federal efficiency standards go into effect in 2012, because traditional light bulbs aren’t expected to meet the standards.
The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality recommends that people recycle intact, spent bulbs, [WHAT ABOUT THE SMASHED ONES, THOSE ARE WHAT I’LL BE TAKING TO YOU] said Jim Hanford.
Many home improvement stores recycle the bulbs. In Omaha, public libraries also take used bulbs for recycling, as does the city’s Under the Sink household hazardous waste recycling center.