Compact Florescent Lamps are small fluorescent light bulbs that use 75 percent less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb and can be screwed into a regular light socket. They save money and energy. However, CFLs contain small amounts of mercury vapor, which can be dangerous to your health. Therefore, they need to be handled carefully. If these bulbs break, follow the following guidelines for cleanup and disposal. What do you do if CFLs break? - Before cleanup, vent the room for 15 minutes.
- On hard surfaces, 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 the wipes in the glass jar or plastic bag. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.
- On carpeted surfaces, 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. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.
- When disposing of the cleanup material, immediately place it in an outside trash container or in a protected area with your regular trash. You can also bring it to the Montgomery County Transfer Station, 16101 Frederick Road, Derwood.
For a complete set of cleanup steps, see the U.S. EPA’s guidelines for mercury cleanup. 
How to dispose of CFLs - Bring it back to the store where you bought it. Many stores, including Lowe's, Home Depot and Ikea will dispose of them.
- Arrange for a free City Household Hazardous Waste pickup by calling 240-314-8568. When getting bulbs ready for pick-up, wrap them in newspaper. This is a safety precaution because bulbs tend to explode when broken.
- Take your fluorescent bulbs and tubes, including compact fluorescent bulbs, to the Montgomery County Transfer Station (16101 Frederick Road, Derwood). If you have just one or two bulbs to dispose of, consider saving them until you have other household hazardous waste material to bring, so that your trip is more efficient.
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