Are Flourescent Lamps Dangerous?

Question

I've heard that they can contaminate an entire room if they break.

Answer 1

Only if broken. They have mercury and phosphor inside them. The vapor is of course dangerous if inhaled. If a pet ingests the solids it will need immediate veterinary attention. Here is a link to read up on the dangers and what to do.

http://nemesis.lonestar.org/reference/electricity/fluorescent/broken_lamp.html

Answer 2

No the gas the contain is minute. The mercury they contain is also minute, still if one breaks clean it up carefully. Use wet paper towel or gobs of tissues to pick up everything. Don't use the vacuum until you know you've gotten everything possible.

Ideally the broken pieces should go to a special hazard dump, not the regular landfill but if your community doesn't have one, wrap all the pieces up in newspaper, put that into a plastic bag and tape shut and throw away. Communities are going to have to make specialized disposal sites readily accessible to the public with all the new compact florescent bulbs they want us to convert to.

Answer 3

No the are not dangerous .If you break one they might cause a slight contamination. They are very durable and hard to break and since they last for about 10,000 hours they are very efficient. Most grocery stores offices and other business use them I would consider them very safe. As far as contaminating an entire room this is absurd. Why would most new homes have them in their kitchens as recessed lighting?.

Answer 4

Nope. Those stories are just fear-mongering. The EPA even says it's not dangerous. They do advise that you open a window if it breaks,and carefully sweep up the broken bulb (not vacuum) . But it's not hazardous.

Answer 5

No,that is just nonsense. They contain very small amounts of Mercury. But then so does most fish, and we eat those.

Answer 6

They contain mercury. It's Mercury that's dangerous.