What to do if you break an energy saving lamp

All of us in varying degrees, use energy-saving lamps. And none of us is immune from a situation where the lamp can simply break. And if incandescent bulbs and LED can simply just throw in the trash, then with mercury-containing, much more complicated. In this article I will discuss how to proceed with a situation where you have a room with a broken lamp with mercury.

What is the risk

In order for you to understand the seriousness of the moment and did not act carelessly, I want to say a few words about the dangers of mercury.

So, MPC (Maximum allowable concentration) in air of the active metal should not be above 0.0003 milligrams per cubic meter of air.

On average, a cone with one lamp contains up to 5 milligrams of metal, which at breakdown thereof leads to an increase in the MPC 170 – 200 time. With all of this pair does not itself issue, that is, they do not have no color or smell.

The first signs of poisoning with mercury vapor are: dizziness, lack of appetite, general weakness. And the most unpleasant that mercury has the effect of accumulation, that is not output over time from the cells, and accumulates them. Which can lead to serious problems with the kidneys, liver and other internal organs.

As you can see, a pleasant enough that the room is broken fluorescent lamp. Therefore, you should immediately begin to demercurisation (decontamination) facilities.

Remove the mercury properly

1. The first step is the withdrawal of all households out of the room, close all doors leading to adjacent rooms, as well as wide-open window. This will prevent the spread of mercury vapor in the remaining space and reduce the concentration in an already polluted area.

2. In no case did not proceed to the collection of debris with bare hands, use gloves for this. As a container for assembling the fragments can be used vacuum bag with a zip. Or select an ordinary bank, but in any case do not put the lamp in the common basket with garbage.

3. Small pieces of glass and phosphor is collected via paper towels (or a damp cloth), so you can use pieces of tape. After collecting all just hiding in the vacuum bag or jar.

4. After that, once again carefully inspect the room for the presence of small fragments and remnants of the lamp. Then thoroughly wash room with the use of detergents.

Thus it is possible to use: potassium permanganate solution (2 grams of potassium permanganate per liter of water), or preparing a solution: 10 liters of water was dissolved 400 grams of soda (or brightness), as well as 400 grams of liquid soap. And one of these solutions is carefully processed floor. Paying attention to all possible slots.

If the lamp is broken on the carpet, it is necessary to learn from the room and clean up in a deserted place. After the end of cleaning, gloves, rags and sponges as well add up to a package or jar. Their use can no longer be.

Just keep in mind that you will need to handle the floor for several days in a row.

What to do with things

So, you have completed cleaning and now you need something to do with the garment in which you worked. It should not be disposed of, as can be read on some resources, but thoroughly wash all the same should be in a separate container.

What is strictly prohibited

So, we have examined the correct cleaning algorithm, and now let's find out what to do Absolutely forbidden:

In the process of cleaning with a vacuum cleaner. Mercury can be deposited on the internal parts of the vacuum cleaner.

Include air conditioning or split systems. It is also possible deposition of mercury on the filters.

Apply a broom. Strongly waving a broom, you can spray over mercury in the room.

Already collected waste disposed of in the common container or garbage disposal.

What to do with shrapnel

Since because of the mercury they can not just throw it away, then the collected waste must be put into a special collection point for waste energy-saving lamps. If you do not know whether there are in your city collection point, you can contact your local service MOE, there you have to tell where and how it will be possible to hand over the fragments.

Output

As you can see, even though the mercury itself is very dangerous metal, but with proper approach and operational cleaning can be very easy to remove all the consequences of the battle of the fluorescent lamp in your room. Thanks for attention.