Shattered Mercury Bulb?

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megan

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I have a lamp that uses one of those spiral-y bulbs that carry mercury in them. It just broke a while ago, and We weren't sure exactly if it had mercury in it, but we saw white power stuff so we figured it was mercury. We followed all the precautions, but the break was right next to my desk, close to my computer (where I am now). We aired out the room for 15 minutes, so is it ok for me to be near where it broke? I'm just worried.

And btw, it wasnt a big bulb or a lot of mercury.
thanks!
 
The white powder is the phosphor coating that emits visible light. It is not the Mercury. Airing the room has no effect on the Mercury. When the bulb broke and the Mercury was exposed to normal air pressure any that was in vapor form condenses to liquid. If you could see it at all it would appear as a silver or silver/gray metal. Either as tiny balls or possibly as a thin film on the inside surfaces of the bulb. Usually you would need magnification to see it. The amount in that bulb is minuscule. Sweep up the debris, don't vacuum as that could atomize and disperse the Mercury. Nearly all of the Mercury would be deposited on the solid surfaces especially the Cathode. ( Wire element)
 
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