A broken low energy bulb got cleaned up with a broom. How can we clean the broom from mercury dust?

Question

We had a low energy light bulb break in our kitchen on a hard flloor and it got unknowingly cleaned up with a broom. (Luckily the break happened right next to an out side door).How can we clean up the broom from any mercury that probably has gotten on it? Thanks

Answer 1

Wash it off with a hose.

The dust you see is actually phosphor dust, harmless stuff. The bulb likely contained only 3-4 milligrams of mercury, not enough that you'd ever actually see it. 3mg is a mass of mercury about the size of the bb ball in the end of  a typical ball point pen!

Astrobuf

Astrobuf

Answer 2

gosh i am so sorry that happened, i would wrap the bottom of the broom in a plastic bag, and dispose of it where you disposed the broken bulb... It is a haz mat as well as any dampened towels with gloves on on the floor that was swept... I am a little angry that these bulbs are touted as so green when the risk of being toxified is so easy..please be careful

Answer 3

Well it's too late now, but NEVER use a broom or vacuum to clean up mercury.

A broom will break the mercury into smaller drops and spread it around more. The small droplets evaporate faster and are more difficult to clean up. You will have to throw away the broom.

Wear gloves, and use a wet paper to clean up spills. Put everything that touched the mercury (clothes, shoes, paper towels, broom) in a plastic bag, seal it, put it in a garbage bag and throw it away labeled hazardous waste. Contact your municipal agency to find out where to dispose of it.