Broke a Fluorescent Tube Light in My Closet

I don't know if it is too late to follow any of the steps listed below or not, but thought maybe it might help. My husband found this guide somewhere - I don't know where - and we have it saved on our computer just in case. Hope this helps. I agree with another post that said to call poison control - they'd likely be someone who could give you better advice. Good luck!

How to clean up a fluorescent bulb
Before cleanup: Vent the room
1. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
2. Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.
Cleanup steps for hard surfaces
3. 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.
4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
5. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
6. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
Cleanup steps for carpeting or rug
3. Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
4. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
5. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
6. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
Disposal of cleanup materials
7. Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.
8. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing cleanup materials.
9. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a recycling center.
Future cleaning of carpeting or rug
10. 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.
11. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

Hello S.,

since you're pregnant, I would not wear those clothes. find out if there is any way of cleaning the mercury out of it... but don't expose yourself and your baby. mercury accumulates in your internal organs and it's very hard to chelate/get rid of. I remember using an antiseptic that had mercury in it. You'll probably be OK. see if you can find out actually how much mercury is in one of those bulbs. I heard that if a fluorecent lightbulb breaks in a public building, they have to evacuate the building. I'm not trying to scare you or anything. However, I have not seen any guidelines for homeowners. Good luck! ~C.~

Just a suggestion, can you call poison control or the pharmacy maybe? I'm sure you're going to be fine, along time ago, they didn't know all that about Mercury. I would hate to throw away all the clothes, that's a little crazy. Try poison control, maybe your doctor, he/she might know who to call. Sorry!

I would have husband finish. Throwing away all of the clothes is not an option for me financially unless I wanted to go naked.

Mercury beads - it looks like silver balls. It can be brushed off of clothing with a sheet of paper, and should be brushed into a three or four layer plastic bag. Once all of the mercury has been removed from all of the clothing and carpet, it should be safe to wash the clothes to get the glass out.

You need a new shop vac.

S.,
When I was a small child. Probably about 4 years old I used to play with mercury. Everytime a thermometer broke, and it was often in our house, my mother would save the mercury in a bottle. My siblings and I would combine it, roll it around in our hands, break it up, and watch it go back together. We did this for hours. Now, I'm not suggesting this. I'm an environmentalist and only use non-toxic cleaners, even shampoo in my home. My point his all three of my siblings and I are okay......so don't freak out. Do the best you can to correct the situation, but what is done is done. You can do your baby the most good by avoiding smoke and eating right. Take your vitamins!