Would this have something to do with those curly -Q light bulbs? I hear they have mercury in them. The liberal solution to this is to ban eating tuna.
Nah, CFLs are perfectly safe, along with the other fluorescent lights (well, unless one breaks, then it's a HazMat incident)...
...and what the EPA fails to mention below is that any clothing or bedding that got contaminated by the mercury needs to be placed in plastic and thrown away because putting them in the washer could contaminate many loads thereafter...
Also, a child's immune system has a much harder time ridding their body of heavy metals, especially those of northern European descent (per my neuro surgeon in Austin who specializes in neuro disorders like autism and blunt force trauma).
Cleaning Up a Broken CFL (EPA)
Before Cleanup1.Have people and pets leave the room, and avoid the breakage area on the way out.
2.Open a window or door to the outdoors and leave the room for 5-10 minutes.
3.Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning (H&AC) system, if you have one.Cleanup Steps for Carpeting or Rugs
1.Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place debris and paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass jar is not available, use a sealable plastic bag. (NOTE: Since a plastic bag will not prevent the mercury vapor from escaping, remove the plastic bag(s) from the home after cleanup.)
2.Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Place the used tape in the glass jar or plastic bag.
3.Vacuuming of carpeting or rugs during cleanup is not recommended unless broken glass remains after all other cleanup steps have been taken. [NOTE: It is possible that vacuuming could spread mercury-containing powder or mercury vapor] If vacuuming is needed to ensure removal of all broken glass, keep the following tips in mind:
◦Keep a window or door to the outdoors open;
◦Vacuum the area where the bulb was broken using the vacuum hose, if available, and
◦Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and seal the bag/vacuum debris, and any materials used to clean the vacuum, in a plastic bag.
4.Promptly place all bulb debris and cleanup materials, including vacuum cleaner bags, outdoors in a trash container or protected area until materials can be disposed of. Avoid leaving any bulb fragments or cleanup materials indoors.
5.Next, check with your local government about disposal requirements in your area, because some localities require fluorescent bulbs (broken or unbroken) be taken to a local recycling center. If there is no such requirement in your area, you can dispose of the materials with your household trash.
6.Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing bulb debris and cleanup materials.
7.Continue to air out the room where the bulb was broken and leave the H&AC system shut off, as practical, for several hours Cleanup Steps for Carpeting or Rugs 1.Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place debris and paper/cardboard in a glass jar with a metal lid. If a glass jar is not available, use a sealable plastic bag.