Compact Fluorescent Lamps, otherwise known as CFL light bulbs, are the 'green' way to light your home.

They save you money on energy bills and last up to ten times longer than their elderly cousins, the incandescent bulb. However, there are still some who are reluctant to try the new technology for fear of mercury poisoning, and whilst there is certainly cause for caution when dealing with a broken CFL bulb, the guidelines below will ensure safe clean-up of your CFL light bulbs.

After clean-up it is important to check with Vanese Flood Gordon, Bermuda's Waste Education and Enforcement Officer regarding the disposal of CFL bulbs, broken or not.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette Ms Gordon said Bermuda is very proactive in its CFL cleanup programme and that they have a press conference planned for the near future that will address proper disposal of your CFL bulbs locally. One very important note is that they should not go into the Tyne's Bay Incinerator but should instead be dropped off at the hazardous waste section of the Tyne's Bay public drop-off.

The CFL bulb is a shining success, the new technology is so popular and environmental friendly that countries like Australia and the province of Ontario in Canada, have committed to phasing out incandescent bulbs by 2012. The ban will make it illegal for retailers to sell the inefficient incandescent light bulbs. However, concerns have been raised about the safety of the CFL bulb because it contains trace amounts of mercury. Mercury is a silvery poisonous metallic element and can be found in products such as thermometers, barometers and batteries. The mercury in the CFL bulb allows the bulb to be an efficient light source.

The typical CFL bulb will contain four or five milligrams of mercury. If that number seems high keep in mind that the average thermometer contains 500 milligrams of mercury. The CFL bulb is not toxic and does not expose you to any health risk when intact. The minor amount of mercury in the bulb also means you don't have to panic if you break one, rather you should take the proper precautions when cleaning up a broken bulb and when disposing of the waste.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an organisation which leads the United States environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts and whose mission is to protect human health and the environment, has come up with some guidelines on how to deal with a break.

The first thing to do if you break a bulb is to air out the room. Make sure all the people and pets leave the room and open a window. Leave the room for at least 15 minutes and turn off any air conditioner or heating units.

If the bulb breaks on a hard surface, such as tile, do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the mess. Carefully scoop up the broken glass and powder using stiff paper such as cardstock, cardboard or paperboard. Next, place the broken pieces and powder into a glass jar with metal lid, or in a plastic bag that can be sealed, and use duct tape to pick up any leftover glass fragments or powder. Finally, wipe the area clean with disposable wet wipes. Place the used wipes into the glass jar or plastic bag.

If the bulb breaks on a carpet or rug once again carefully scoop up the broken glass as described above. Once you have picked up as much material as possible, a vacuum may be used to collect the remaining debris. After vacuuming remove the vacuum bag (or empty and clean the canister). Finally place the bag or vacuum debris in a plastic bag that can be sealed.

If you break a bulb and get some on material such as clothing or bedding then discard the clothing bedding or other material if the debris from the broken bulb is unable to be cleaned from the fabric.

Do not wash the material. Mercury from the broken bulb can contaminate the washing machine and the water, however, you may wash clothing or other materials that did not come into direct contact with the broken bulb. This includes any clothing being worn at the time the bulb broke, as long as direct contact was not made.

If shoes come into direct contact with powder from the bulb or broken glass, wipe them off with disposable wet wipes and place the used wipes in a glass jar or plastic bag for disposal.

The next few times you clean the rug or carpet after the break you should follow the same guidelines about airing out the room and shutting off any AC or heating units. Keep the air system off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after cleaning.

For the disposal of the waste material remember it should not go into the regualr trash that will end up in our incinerator, instead contact the Ministry of Works and Engineering or drop the waste down at the hazardous waste area at Tyne's Bay public drop-off.

Be sure to wash your hands after disposing of all clean-up materials and containers.