Mercury exposure through CFL light bulbs?

[FlipperK]

Earlier this evening, while doing laundry, we knocked over our detergent and it spilled underneath the washing machine.

So naturally you have to pull the darn thing out and clean it up. Apparently, there was a light bulb behind the washer and while moving it I heard it pop.

We have all different types of light bulbs, mostly LED so I didn’t think much more than another thing I have to clean up.

I clean up the detergent with paper towels the light bulb is in about 100 pieces about two feet away from me. Once I get the soap wiped up I grab a broom and sweep up the light bulb and throw it away.

We don’t buy CFLs and the only reason they are in the house was because the previous owner had them and we just replace them as needed with LEDs. I didn’t realize they contain mercury until I dumped the broken bulb into the garbage and I saw “Contains Mercury”

I sort of flip out. I immediately take the broom and dust pan outside. I grab the entire garbage can and take it outside to empty the bag. I wipe down the garbage cans top and sides. I wipe down the front area of the washing machine but I didn’t wipe up where the thing busted.

Two questions:

1.) Even though it’s a small amount of mercury I am thinking about this a lot. My wife thinks it’s not a big deal and she has never heard of mercury poisoning from a light bulb. Am I thinking about this too much?

2.) Should I remove the washing machine again and wipe down the area or just leave it be? I don’t know if moving it around that area would do more harm than good?

 

[Jgriffin]

Earlier this evening, while doing laundry, we knocked over our detergent and it spilled underneath the washing machine.

So naturally you have to pull the darn thing out and clean it up. Apparently, there was a light bulb behind the washer and while moving it I heard it pop.

We have all different types of light bulbs, mostly LED so I didn’t think much more than another thing I have to clean up.

I clean up the detergent with paper towels the light bulb is in about 100 pieces about two feet away from me. Once I get the soap wiped up I grab a broom and sweep up the light bulb and throw it away.

We don’t buy CFLs and the only reason they are in the house was because the previous owner had them and we just replace them as needed with LEDs. I didn’t realize they contain mercury until I dumped the broken bulb into the garbage and I saw “Contains Mercury”

I sort of flip out. I immediately take the broom and dust pan outside. I grab the entire garbage can and take it outside to empty the bag. I wipe down the garbage cans top and sides. I wipe down the front area of the washing machine but I didn’t wipe up where the thing busted.

Two questions:

1.) Even though it’s a small amount of mercury I am thinking about this a lot. My wife thinks it’s not a big deal and she has never heard of mercury poisoning from a light bulb. Am I thinking about this too much?

2.) Should I remove the washing machine again and wipe down the area or just leave it be? I don’t know if moving it around that area would do more harm than good?

I don't post much but when I do it's because I see I can be of help. My husband manages his parents lighting store and I read him this post. He said the amount of mercury in that bulb is less than a can of tuna and there is zero harm.