Energy-saving lamp broken - what danger exists?


Again and again, the high risk that emanates from energy-saving lamps is reported. What you have to pay attention to, and what is the health risk of a broken lamp actually, read in this post.

Mercury in energy-saving lamps

For technical reasons, energy-saving lamps always contain a small amount of mercury. 5 mg are allowed, but most energy-saving bulbs are around 2 mg.

This is a comparatively small amount - in old fever thermometers, which still work with mercury, can be up to 1 g of mercury contained.

Despite its small amount, mercury, which is highly toxic to the human body, can pose a considerable risk. Above all, the type of recording plays a role:

  • Recording by touch
  • Ingestion by ingestion (such as of mercury globules)
  • Absorption of metallic mercury vapors

Depending on the route of admission, the danger to health can be very different.

Recording by touch

If you have touched the mercury of a broken energy-saving lamp, there is little health hazard. Mercury is absorbed only very slightly through the skin. If you wash your hands as quickly and thoroughly as possible after touching them, you are usually on the safe side and there is no high intake into the body.

You should still avoid a risk, and therefore always wear rubber gloves when removing the remains of a broken energy-saving lamp. So any risk is excluded.

Ingestion by ingestion (such as of mercury globules)

Especially with children, it can happen that they get mercury in the mouth and swallow. As far as mercury beads are concerned, the acute damage is usually limited here.

In the majority of cases, mercury in the form of globules passes through the organism without causing much damage and usually without accumulating in the body in high quantities. Of course you should pay attention to typical symptoms or symptoms (headache, nausea, etc.), but usually not much will happen.

Absorption of metallic mercury vapors

On the other hand, metallic mercury vapors represent a very high and significant health hazard. They are released when an energy-saving lamp breaks down during operation - then the mercury is in gaseous form and instantly distributed in the room air.

Partly problematic concentrations occur, especially near the ground and in the first few minutes after breakage. Here, indoor air concentrations are reached that can be dangerous for children.

Key symptoms of poisoning by metallic mercury vapors are

  • a headache
  • nausea
  • distinct metallic taste in the mouth

As long as several lamps are not broken at the same time and the resulting vapors are inhaled, treatment is usually not necessary even for children. This may be different in individual cases.

Vapors represent a particular danger because the mercury concentration in the blood can suddenly increase, and mercury accumulates mainly in the intestine and kidneys, where it can lead to ongoing self-poisoning.

Tips & Tricks

Before doing any further work, be sure to air the room thoroughly for at least fifteen minutes after breaking a lamp. After that you should put the remains of the lamp in one airtight vessel Dispose of properly (recycling center or collection point, household waste is prohibited).
Energy-saving lamp broken - what danger exists?

FAQ - 💬

❓ How much mercury is in energy saving light bulbs?

👉 CFLs contain very small amounts of mercury On average, CFLs contain about four milligrams of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury – an amount equal to the mercury in more than 100 CFLs.

❓ Do energy saving light bulbs get hot?

👉 CFL Light Bulbs give out far less heat than normal incandescent bulbs, making them safer for use in unattended security or night light applications. This also makes them ideal for use with lampshades made of delicate materials that can be damaged by heat.

❓ How do you know if a bulb is energy saving?

👉 Remember to always look for the ENERGY STAR when shopping for light bulbs. Certified bulbs use 70-90 percent less energy than the standard incandescent and they'll last 10-25 times longer. Bulbs with the trusted blue label will save energy, save money, and help prevent climate change.

❓ What do you do if you break an energy-saving light bulb?

👉 What should you do with worn out energy-saving light bulbs and tubes? All used energy-saving light bulbs and tubes, whether they are broken or not, should be delivered to an approved waste recycling facility. Then you have played your part in making sure that mercury is handled correctly.

❓ How much mercury is toxic?

👉 Blood mercury levels above 100 ng/mL have been reported to be associated with clear signs of mercury poisoning in some individuals (e.g., poor muscle coordination, tingling and numbness in fingers and toes).

❓ What do you do if you break an energy saving light bulb?

👉 What should you do with worn out energy-saving light bulbs and tubes? All used energy-saving light bulbs and tubes, whether they are broken or not, should be delivered to an approved waste recycling facility. Then you have played your part in making sure that mercury is handled correctly.

❓ How do you remove an energy saving light bulb?

👉 0:081:08How to change your bathroom light bulb

❓ How long does an energy saving light bulb last?

👉 Manufacturers of energy-saving fluorescent bulbs state that they last between 6,000 and 15,000 hours. Those sold in Britain last on average 10 times longer than old-style incandescent light bulbs, which had an official lifespan of about 1,000 hours.

❓ How long should energy-saving bulbs last?

👉 In addition, energy saving light bulbs are incredibly long-lasting. If left on for 12 hours a day, most can last for a whopping 11 years without needing to be replaced. This is in stark contrast to traditional bulbs, which rarely last longer than a year.

❓ What happens if light bulb breaks?

👉 What if one breaks? A. Around the world, governments have passed measures to phase out incandescent light bulbs in favor of the more energy-efficient CFLs. It's true that CFL bulbs do contain a small amount of mercury, sealed within the glass tubing, and it can be released as vapor after a breakage.

❓ Do light bulbs contain mercury?

👉 Several types of light bulbs contain mercury. These include compact fluorescent lamps, straight fluorescent tubes, as well as other lamps such as high-pressure sodium lamps.

❓ Are energy-saving light bulbs dangerous?

👉 An energy saving bulb has gone - evacuate the room now! Energy-saving light bulbs are so dangerous that everyone must leave the room for at least 15 minutes if one falls to the floor and breaks, a Government department warned yesterday. The startling alert came as health experts also warned that toxic

❓ What happens if you break a CFL bulb?

👉 CFL bulbs contain mercury and when it gets broken, the mercury that's in the tube is then released as a vapour. Although it can't be seen, breathing in the vapour is toxic for the body. Which are the main bulbs containing mercury? What do I do if I break a CFL light bulb? The cat knocks over your table lamp, you drop the bulb when removing it....

❓ Are energy saving light bulbs worth it?

👉 Modern day energy saving light bulbs produce must less heat than tradition bulbs and are therefore considerably more efficient and cheaper to run, making them an appealing choice. Why are energy saving light bulbs potentially dangerous?

❓ Why is it bad to be near a light bulb?

👉 mercury inside the bulbs can aggravate a range of problems including migraines and dizziness. And a leading dermatologist said tens of thousands of people with skin complaints will find it hard to tolerate being near the bulbs as they cause conditions such as eczema to flare up.


Video Board: Philips Dusk to Dawn Energy Saver CFL light bulb - auto off and on with daylight