[SustainableTompkins] broken CFL/mercury clean --additional info

[Thomas Shelley]

Dear Friends--An additional excellent reference comes from the State of 
Maine DEP go to the 
link  <http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/homeowner/cflbreakcleanup.htm>I've 
broken a fluorescent bulb in my home. What do I do? near the top of this page:

http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/homeowner/fluorescent.htm

The only significant difference between what I suggested and their 
information is that the broken glass, mercury clean up materials, etc., be 
placed in a glass jar that seals tightly instead of the usual 
double-bagging in zip-lock bags.  They say the mercury still leaks out of 
the zip-lock bags.  Their specific recommendations are:

"Carefully remove the larger pieces and place them in a secure closed 
container, preferably a glass container with a metal screw top lid and seal 
like a canning 
jar.<http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/homeowner/cflbreakcleanup.htm#notes>1 A 
glass jar with a good seal works best to contain any mercury vapors 
inside.<http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/homeowner/cflbreakcleanup.htm#notes>2

1Other jars that can be made of glass and also work are pickle, peanut 
butter and applesauce jars.  Not ideal but also a good choice for 
containing breakage is a heavy duty #2 plastic container with either a 
screw lid or push-on lid such as a joint compound bucket or certain kitty 
litter-type containers.

2If the only suitable jar available has food in it, you may need to empty 
it into another container before using it."

This information page from the Maine DEP is the most extensive and 
up-to-date information I have seen on CFLs and CFL cleanup; even better 
than the EPA sites.  Someone in Maine did their homework!   Have a 
wonderful day.  Tom


Tom Shelley
118 E. Court St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607 342-0864
tjs1 at cornell.edu
http://www.myspace.com/99319958
P I thank you for printing this e-mail only if it is necessary

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present 
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own 
needs."

The World Commission on Environment and Development,
Gro Harlem Brundtland
Our Common Future, Oxford University Press, 1987

MY NOTE:  Sustainable development does not mean "sustainable growth" as 
growth per se is not sustainable.  And the term "sustainable" has to mean 
"for a very long time" (A. Bartlett).

"The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives."        Sioux proverb
Tom Shelley
118 E. Court St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
607 342-0864
tjs1 at cornell.edu
http://www.myspace.com/99319958
P I thank you for printing this e-mail only if it is necessary

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present 
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own 
needs."

The World Commission on Environment and Development,
Gro Harlem Brundtland
Our Common Future, Oxford University Press, 1987

MY NOTE:  Sustainable development does not mean "sustainable growth" as 
growth per se is not sustainable.  And the term "sustainable" has to mean 
"for a very long time" (A. Bartlett).

"The frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives."        Sioux proverb