Cleaning Up Broken Lamps

Everyone who works with mercury lamps eventually breaks one. In the event of breakage, please follow these steps to minimize the risk of mercury exposure.

Cleaning Up a Small Number of Lamps

1. Sweep up debris with a small broom or a whisk broom. Sweep gently to avoid suspending phosphor powders in the air.
2. DO NOT VACUUM broken lamp debris. The exhaust from the vacuum will disperse mercury into the air. If you must vacuum the debris, only vacuum after sweeping up as much debris as possible and wiping up the powder with a wet paper towel.
3. Place the debris in an airtight container (a sealable bag, glass jar, or pail with a tight fitting lid).
4. Seal the container and label it, Universal Waste – Lamp(s), or Waste Lamp(s), or Used Lamp(s). In addition, it is recommended that you write on the label “accidentally broken”.
5. Try to disperse the mercury vapor by opening windows or doors.
6. Dispose of the contained debris using the same guidelines for recycling intact waste mercury lamps.

Cleaning Up a Large Number of Lamps

If a large number of lamps break, there is a high potential for exposure to airborne mercury. Immediately close off the area with the broken lamps and call a local hazardous materials response agency, usually the local fire department .

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