How dangerous is a broken compact fluorescent bulb?
How dangerous is a broken compact fluorescent bulb?
Is it harmful to be in the room where a CFL bulb has broken? The amount of mercury vapor that is released from one broken CFL bulb is not enough to make anyone sick. However, to avoid any exposure to mercury, we recommend that you leave the room for at least 15 minutes before cleaning up the broken bulb.
What happens if you breathe in a broken fluorescent bulb?
When the tube of a fluorescent light bulb breaks, the mercury vapour inside is released into the air. Children breathe in more air in proportion to their size than adults and tend to be more active, so children could be exposed to comparatively higher levels of mercury than adults.
Is it bad to inhale a broken light bulb?
Once broken, a compact fluorescent light bulb continuously releases mercury vapor into the air for weeks to months, and the total amount can exceed safe human exposure levels in a poorly ventilated room, according to a new study.
How long do compact fluorescent light bulbs last?
Most ENERGY STAR qualified fixtures come with pin-based compact fluorescent lamps that are tested to last at least 10,000 hours (about 7 years, on average) versus standard screw-in bulbs which last about 1,000 hours or up to 1 year.
What does compact fluorescent light bulb stand for?
Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) F.A.Q.’s. CFL stands for compact fluorescent lamp, and it is a small fluorescent light bulb that uses 75% less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb and can be screwed into a regular light socket. Don’t let the fact that it is fluorescent turn you off!
Where is the best place to use compact fluorescent light bulbs?
To take full advantage of the energy savings and long life of CFLs, it’s best to use them in the light fixtures you use the most. Lights that stay on for at least 15 minutes at a time are best. Good locations include outdoor light fixtures, or indoor fixtures in your lobby, dining room, kitchen, and restrooms.
Can a broken CFL bulb cause mercury in the air?
Overall, a broken CFL bulb won’t result in mercury concentrations in air anywhere near as high as the concentrations at which effects on humans or even animals have been observed.
What to do with a broken compact fluorescent light bulb?
If there is no such requirement in your area, you can dispose of the materials with your household trash. If practical, continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the heating/air conditioning system shut off for several hours. If you have further questions, please call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
What happens when a CFL light bulb breaks?
CFLs and the other light bulbs listed above contain a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. When a bulb breaks in your home, some of this mercury may be released as mercury vapor. To minimize exposure to mercury vapor, EPA recommends that residents follow the cleanup and disposal steps described on this page .
What happens when a light bulb breaks in your home?
When a bulb breaks in your home, some of this mercury may be released as mercury vapor. To minimize exposure to mercury vapor, EPA recommends that residents follow the cleanup and disposal steps described on this page .
How much mercury is in a broken light bulb?
Mercury levels inside fluorescent bulbs are quite low. Precautions are recommended, but how much actual risk is there? An article in the August 2009 official magazine of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America concluded that a worst-case scenario of mercury exposure (PDF) from a broken bulb is equivalent to eating one serving of fish.