Fluorescent Bulbs, How Dangerous Are They?

[willardhaven]

My friends and I dropped a dead fluorescent bulb in a basement earlier today while it was turned on (I hit it to try and get it to work and it toppled).

When it hit the drum set it shattered and some gas or dust came out of it, I ran out of the house like a girl before I could get a good look at it.

What should be done to decontaminate the room? Should I was my shoes and clothing immediately? What other problems can this cause?

 

[mtxbass1]

lol. you're kidding right? There is no harm in breaking a flourescent bulb. The gas that came out was argon gas and gets absorbed naturally into your environment. Breaking a single bulb is hardly a hazard. Now...if you broke say 5000 bulbs in a small room, then you MIGHT have a slight problem, but seriously, one bulb isn't going to produce a hazard other than broken glass.

They do sound cool when they shatter though.

 

[willardhaven]

Really? I tried looking it up online and found stuff talking about mercury and contaminated dust.

 

[Quackzilla]

The very thin and sharp broken glass is dangerous, but the noble gas won't hurt you, it is very gentlemanly and will treat you with respect.

 

[repetske]

I would go to a doctor if I were you. Are your toes itching? Does your tongue feel swollen? Also, don't smoke around the broken bulb either.

 

[Quackzilla]

Anyway, it's funny that you posted on a message board and looked it up on the internet without even thinking about picking up the phone book and calling a poison control center to ask them.

 

[willardhaven]

Never called them before, I actually don't even know the number, I'll go look it up.

 

[sblymnlcrymnl]

[quote name='Quackzilla']The very thin and sharp broken glass is dangerous, but the noble gas won't hurt you, it is very gentlemanly and will treat you with respect.[/QUOTE]

:lol:

 

[Doylerulez]

As long as you don't do something stupid, like so, you're fine

"Two Star Wars fans are in a critical condition in hospital after apparently trying to make light sabres by filling fluorescent light tubes with petrol.

A man, aged 20, and a girl of 17 are believed to have been filming a mock duel when they poured fuel into two glass tubes and lit it. The pair were rushed to hospital after one of the devices exploded in woodland at Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire."

 

[JimmieMac]

bulbs like this are a common staple in backyard rasslin. Not that it's right, but, there's really no danger.

 

[Graystone]

[quote name='dental_regurgitation']
What should be done to decontaminate the room?[/QUOTE]


Burn the house down that should elevate the problem.

 

[smalien1]

Dude, if you sniff that shit such awesome stuff happens!

 

[epobirs]

[quote name='Quackzilla']The very thin and sharp broken glass is dangerous, but the noble gas won't hurt you, it is very gentlemanly and will treat you with respect.[/QUOTE]

And if there is so dire a disagreement that it must come to blows, the noble gas will first announce its intention by issuing a formal challenge that includes a slap to the face with a pair of gloves. Marquess of Queensbury rules apply.

 

[zionoverfire]

I think your concern comes from very old fluorescent lights used back in the 70s. While fluorescent lights still have mercury it isn't enough to really warrant concern.

 

[PAS/CAL]

I have lost two grand parents and one Uncle to fluorescent bulbs

 

[Moxio]

I don't think there's anything dangerous... it could have just been heat.