Compact fluorescent lights do contain some mercury, although none is released while the bulbs are on. The New Orleans Times-Picayune provides the following cleanup guidelines for recycling old bulbs and handling broken ones:

– Sweep up — don't vacuum — all of the glass fragments and fine particles.

– Place pieces in a sealed plastic bag and wipe the area with a damp paper towel to pick up fine particles. Put the used towel in the plastic bag as well.

– If weather permits, open windows to ventilate the room.

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