Recommendation for lamp disposal:

What to do if a lamp containing mercury breaks

The only time you as a consumer may be exposed to mercury is if the glass of the lamp is cracked or broken. If this happens, follow these rules to minimize your exposure:

• Don’t PANIC! Remember that a fluorescent lamp contains only a very small amount of mercury.
• Be careful not to cut yourself on shards of glass.
• If the lamp was broken in a luminaire, make sure to disconnect the power to avoid the risk of electric shock.
• Gather up the fragments of the lamp, sweeping them up if possible.
• Use a disposable towel or sticky tape to remove small pieces or dust.
• Use a vacuum cleaner only if the surface leaves no alternative (carpet). Dispose of the vacuum bag containing the lamp fragments.
• Remove the fragments of the lamp from the inside of your home, i.e. by placing them in a bag and carrying them outside.
• Ventilate the room.
• Dispose of both cracked and non-functioning lamps correctly.