MERCURY – LAMPS: HANDLING & RECYCLING

What precautions should I take when handling and recycling old lamps?

Here are a few precautions to take with mercury-containing lamps after they have burned out:

• Do not break or crush lamps because mercury will be released.
• To avoid breaking the lamps, package them carefully when storing and transporting them.
• DO NOT TAPE THEM TOGETHER!
• Take the lamps to one of the recycling opportunities.
• If lamps are accidentally broken, follow the clean-up procedure below.

What happens if I break a lamp and need to clean it up?

• Keep all people and pets away from breakage area so that mercury powder is not tracked into other areas.
• Keep the area well ventilated.
• Assemble the necessary supplies before cleaning up: Latex gloves, tweezers, tape, and a puncture resistant container.
• Using the latex gloves, carefully pick up any broken glass and place in a puncture resistant container. Tweezers may be needed to safely pick up broken glass. Tape or a damp paper towel can also be used to pick up any remaining small pieces of glass and powder residue still located on the spill surface.
• DO NOT VACUUM!
• After clean-up is complete, place the contaminated clean-up equipment along with any other material that came in contact with the mercury powder into the puncture resistant container or a sealable plastic bag.
• Take the container of broken lamps to one of the recycling opportunities.