The new For more information, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued the following
guidelines for safely cleaning up broken compact fluorescent light bulbs that contain MERCURY.
What to do if you accidentally break a bulb:
Before Cleanup: VENT the Room
Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
Shut OFF the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.
Cleanup Steps for Carpet or rugs
Wear disposable gloves, if available. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or
cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
Vacuum the area were the bulb was broken. Remove the vacuum bag or empty the canister and wash it
clean. Put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed planted bag and rewash the canister
Cleanup Steps for Hard Surfaces
Wear disposable gloves, if available. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or
cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic
bag. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and
powder. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass
jar or plastic bag. DO NOT use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken
Disposal of Clean-up Materials
Immediately place all cleanup materials, including gloves, outside the building in a trash container or outdoor
protected area, away from children, for the next normal trash. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic
bags containing clean-up materials
Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug:
Vent the Room During and After Vacuuming
For at least the next few times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air
conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming. Keep the central heating/air
conditioning system shut OFF and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is
completed. For more information, visit
Hazardous Waste. The Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Fact Sheet