Flourescent Light Bulbs - Are they all equally potential health problems if /when they break, & equally so?

Question

The long tubes, the halo shaped, and the compact bulbs that wind around several times... how do they compare in their towic properties?

Is one kind more dangerous to break than another kind?

If so, which are worse &/or 'safer'?

What is the recommended proceedure when one breaks?

Ditto ^ , if it has already been put out in the trash, when you find out about it?

Links to the best Web sites with such info will be appreciated, as will the sharing of expert personal knowledge.

Answer 1

They all contain mercury. vapor. It would be good to dispose of them in a hazardous waste landfill, but it doesn't happen. We use fewer of them in the long run than incandescent, and cause less heat to be added to the environment as well as use less energy. It is recommended that the broken ones be sealed into a plastic bag. We do not want mercury poisoning. Mercury can be absorbed through the skin as well as breathed in if the vapor is in the air. There are other sources of mercury contamination, like tuna fish. Dispose of them carefully, they do last much longer. Protect them from breaking. Just google compact fluorescent bulbs to read about them. Or try mercury contamination.

Answer 2

Longer ones contain more mercury.

If it does break, sweep it off into a plastic bag with gloves and a cloth over your nose. Wash well anything that has come in contact with the glass and throw away any food or water if it was contaminated.