by Brianna Crandall — December 31, 2010—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 28 updated its guidance on how to properly clean up a broken compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). Included with the guidance is a new consumer brochure with CFL recycling and cleanup tips. EPA encourages Americans to use CFLs to save energy and prevent greenhouse gas emissions.
CFLs contain a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. When a CFL breaks, some of the mercury is released as vapor and may pose potential health risks. The guidance and brochure provide simple, user-friendly directions to help prevent and reduce exposure to people from mercury pollution.
For more information on CFLs and the cleanup guidance, including tips to help prevent breakage, visit the EPA Web site.
