Okay, so it's going to happen to you if it hasn't already. You will break one of those compact fluorescent light bulbs and probably start to freak out about how to clean it up. These bulbs release mercury vapor when broken and can be tricky to recycle ... even illegal to just toss in the trash. So what's the right way to cleanup one of these broken CFL bulbs?
Here's the official EPA website method. In short, get out of the room for 5-10 minutes to let it air out (shut off your A/C to stop circulating any vapors). Then use sticky tape or wet paper towel / wipes to sweep all the debris and powder onto a stiff piece of paper. Funnel the broken shards into a sealable container, like a glass jar. Finally, put the container
outside until you can dispose of it properly according to your local rules. Two other good tips I found: always screw the bulbs in and out holding the base (not the curly glass part) and put a beach towel under your lamp when changing the bulbs, just in case one falls.
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