Clean-Up Directions. If a mercury-containing lamp is broken, please follow the instructions below: • Leave the room. • Avoid stepping on broken glass. • Turn down the thermostat; mercury forms fumes when heated. • Ventilate the room for at least 15 minutes prior to starting clean-up by opening windows and doors to the outdoors. This will ensure that the mercury vapour levels are reduced before you start cleaning. • Refuse entry of any other person in the room before clean-up is completed. These precautions should limit the amount of mercury vapour present in the room before you begin cleaning. • Do NOT use a vacuum cleaner or broom to clean up the initial breakage, as this may spread the mercury vapour and dust throughout the area. In addition, mercury contamination may subsequently occur through vacuuming or sweeping. • Wear disposable gloves to avoid direct contact with the mercury and to reduce the risk of cuts. • Wear the supplied disposable mask. • Scoop or pick up the broken pieces and debris with the two pieces of cardboard provided in the spill kit and place the glass and debris in the sealable plastic bag. • Make sure to work from the outside of the spill to the centre. • If an HID lamp has broken with a visibly broken ampule, see steps below. • Use packing tape to pick up any remaining glass particles or powder. o Prepare several pieces of tape ahead of time to avoid contaminating the tape and to make cleaning easier. • Take a piece of tape and place it with the sticky side facing out. • Gently tap the contaminated area and repeat with a clean piece of tape until the contaminated area is covered. Place the used tape pieces into the sealable plastic bag. • Wipe the contaminated area with a damp paper towel, damp cloth, or damp wipe, to remove any remaining particles. • Place the broken glass and all clean-up materials in the plastic bag and seal it to further minimize the release of mercury vapour. • If an HID lamp has broken with a visibly broken ampule: • Use the cardboard to gather the beads of mercury. (Note: A flashlight held at a low angle in a darkened room can be used to find beads of mercury which can travel quite far on a hardened surface.) • Use eyedropper to collect mercury and then squeeze carefully into a damp paper towel. Repeat this step as often as necessary to cover the affected area thoroughly. Place the paper towel into the sealable plastic bag • Use packing tape to pick up any remaining glass particles, powder or smaller mercury beads. o Prepare s...
