Mercury From a Tube Lightbulb?

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GOOSE12

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So, my question is this. I have OCD first of all and about a year ago some tube light bulbs broke and ever since i feel like since i might have walked by it that it's "on my shoes" and contaminates my floor. Every time i walk by it i feel like it is contaminating me. My question is, is it so harmful that i will die, get sick or have something bad happen. serious answers I'm going up the wall on this.
 
Not all tube lighting contains mercury, there is a trace amount in energy saving bulbs. Fluorescent tubing usually contains a gas.

With regards to your ODC, just think that if it is on you, it would have gone a long time ago. A small amount of mercury is not harmful unless directly ingested.
 
I answered you before - it is your OCD that is the problem. If you were going to get sick, you would have got sick immediately after breaking the bulb. I've broken the 40 W tubes a couple times, and a couple compact fluorescent lightbulbs over my lifetime, and never had any ill effects. There is very little mercury in a light bulb, but the reason the government wants you to dispose of them properly is because millions of light bulbs add up. A person without OCD would NOT be worrying as you are. Talk to your psychiatrist or therapist about this issue. I am concerned about toxic things in my environment, too, but your worries are way over the top, definitely OCD.
 
The light bulb couldn't possibly have enough mercury in it to harm you. I've held mercury in my hands and Im still here. They let us play with it in Chemistry in high school.
 
i think that what you are dealing with is Psychological and not physical. if the mercury light broke over a year ago, the effects would have worn off a long time ago.

if it still bothers you, you could go see a doctor and have them run a test to see if you have mercury poisoning.


richard Entin
 
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