It's not big deal when a old fashioned, incandescent light bulb breaks. However tubular and other fluorescent light bulbs contain small amounts of mercury. If the glass breaks, mercury can contaminate the environment, not a very good perspective considering that mercury is highly toxic. Think of the people who handle your recyclables!

In fluorescent tubes and bulbs, mercury is used in vapor or powder state, in order to convert electric energy into ultraviolet light, which is then converted into visible light by a fluorescent substance. If in your house a fluorescent tube or bulb breaks, the first thing to do is not to touch the mercury powder, but pick up the shattered glass, preferably with something to avoid direct contact, then wipe the heavy metal with a wet cloth and put it in a sealed container. Brooms and vacuums should be avoided at all times, since they spread the mercury even more.

Another concern is that, although fluorescent lights are 100 percent recyclable, only about 2 percent are properly recycled. 98 percent ends up in landfills. So, please recycle your fluorescent light bulbs and tubes, but not in your curbside recycling bin or at the Metro weekend recycling glass dumpster! Bring them to Lowe's in Atascocita or Batteries + Bulbs in Humble. Thank you!

For more information about recycling and disposal of fluorescent light bulbs check out EPA's website.