Broken CFL, Mercurcy Poisoning... PLEASE HELP!

[melodious fellow]

So yesterday, I accidentally broke a 26watt Daylight CFL.

I didn't think anything about it and picked it up (it was still in 1 piece) and threw it in the trash (as we have no fluorescent recycling center)

Last night I kept coughing alot and had trouble getting to sleep, but just figured all the coughing was from all the tokin' I do.

Come to find out this morning, there is plenty enough mercury in a CFL (or in a thermometer) to evaporate into the air and contaminate an entire room. Further, I read about a woman who broke a single CFL and had to seal the room until she could find $2000 for a hazardous waste disposal company to clean the room.

Symptoms of mercury poisoning include coughing and sweating, insomnia (explains last night), increased blood pressure, etc, the list continues with lots of terrible stuff, nerve damage, and eventually possible death.

The bulb manufacturing companies say the 5-6mg of Hg in a bulb isn't a big deal and just to ventilate the room (which doesn't have any windows, just my luck) but many other websites including the poison control center, encyclopedias etc say quite otherwise.

I am a bit worried...

Anyone else broken any CFL's?

melodious fellow Reviewed by melodious fellow on 02-25-2008. Broken CFL, Mercurcy Poisoning... PLEASE HELP! So yesterday, I accidentally broke a 26watt Daylight CFL. I didn't think anything about it and picked it up (it was still in 1 piece) and threw it in the trash (as we have no fluorescent recycling center) Last night I kept coughing alot and had trouble getting to sleep, but just figured all the coughing was from all the tokin' I do. Come to find out this morning, there is plenty enough mercury in a CFL (or in a thermometer) to evaporate into the air and contaminate an entire room. Rating: 5

[stinkyattic]

If you're concerned, get OFF the computer and take yourself to the doctor NOW.
Mercury is not something to mess around with and advice from forum posters is not as reliable as advice from a MD.

[Psycho4Bud]

One CFL contains a hundred times less mercury than is found in a single dental amalgam filling or old-style glass thermometer, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Fluorescent Lights' Mercury Poses Dim Threat

Smash a couple of 4 ft. fluorescent lights in a dumpster and you'll see a white haze in the air. NOT safe to inhale. The little bit in a CFL isn't nothing to worry about.

IF they were that dangerous it would be mandated that these style lamps be recycled as to not contaminate the landfills.

Have a good grow!:jointsmile:

[melodious fellow]

If you're concerned, get OFF the computer and take yourself to the doctor NOW.
Mercury is not something to mess around with and advice from forum posters is not as reliable as advice from a MD.

This community probably has more experience with dropping CFLs than anywhere else I have looked. And not everyone has access/insurance for a doctor.

Thanks for the reply Psycho. It was also my initial thought that there was little risk, until I scared myself silly doing so much research on mercury this morning.

How many of you guys have broken CFLs? And what did you do to clean up/ notice any effects later?

thanks... peace

[Weedhound]

Yes I've broken some and never had a problem. Also used to use those old fashioned thermometers and have broken several of those in my time. I'm not recommending you do this, but I'm not dead......that I know of anyway.

I have to agree with Stinky....if I thought I was ill with something serious I would NOT be waiting around on a computer to see what other stoners have to say about it. First my ass would be on the telephone to my doctors office.....or at the very least to poison control.....again...the PHONE, not a website. Much as I love the folks here my health is just a little too important for that.

[stinkyattic]

This community probably has more experience with dropping CFLs than anywhere else I have looked. And not everyone has access/insurance for a doctor.

I understand what it is like to be uninsured... That being said, you need to look at this logically:

If your question had been, "I dropped a CFL and it broke, now what do I do?" My response would have been "There is probably no reason to worry".

Your original post said that you were suffering SYMPTOMS OF MERCURY POISONING.

My response is: GO TO THE DOCTOR. We are not medical professionals. Having experience dropping CFLs does not equate to having experience diagnosing acute mercury poisoning. WE CANNOT HELP YOU.

I'm locking this thread because the site cannot be liable for medical advice given by its members.

[Psycho4Bud]

This community probably has more experience with dropping CFLs than anywhere else I have looked. And not everyone has access/insurance for a doctor.

Thanks for the reply Psycho. It was also my initial thought that there was little risk, until I scared myself silly doing so much research on mercury this morning.

How many of you guys have broken CFLs? And what did you do to clean up/ notice any effects later?

thanks... peace

Don't take that as being a medical diagnosis by NO MEANS! Never know, you might have a low tolorance to it. Listen to Stinky and just see someone. Better safe than sorry as they say.

If one of your plants were sick you'd look for an assist....right?

Have a good grow!:jointsmile: