exploded light globe - what's the risk?

[kass]

This morning I had a light explode when I turned on the switch. Shattered glass I can deal with, but since it was one of the energy saving, mercury containing ones I'm a bit unsure about some safety issues.

I've followed recommendations for cleaning it up (ventilation, no vacuum, sealed container etc), but my main concern is that the room was my walk in robe, and the globe exploded - potentially there are shards of glass and powder residue all over all of my clothes.

You're not meant to use the vacuum incase it becomes contaminated - would it be the same story with putting everything in the washing machine, or am I just being over the top and I shouldn't worry about the clothes? Help!

[*Efjay*]

hmmmm I probably wouldn't have even taken a second thought to it & just shook them out before I put them on.

[ladybirdflies]

I would ring the company if I were you and ask what they would do. Next time you are near a supermarket/hardware store. Bulk buy the halogen globes and change your whole house over asap, these globes are much safer for human use and much more efficient than the compact fluro globes. These so called energy saving globes are causing a huge amount of health issues worldwide and suddenly there are halogen globes at the end of each isle of our supermarket when only a few months ago I had to order them online. Our school is changing over and we have to have a special team come in to remove the compact fluro globes as they are so toxic when broken and should not be thrown in regular garbage!

Goodluck cleaning up.

[kass]

Thanks for your replies
If I can work out the company I probably will contact them - not too sure what the brand was, but there might be something left on the bit that's still in the ceiling. I had one burn out in the same room a few weeks back (bit of a bang and burnt looking, but still intact) so it's either an issue with the batch of globes the light fitting. I had the house rewired a few months back, so I'm leaning towards the globes being the issue! Interesting to hear about your school ladybird. I just wish you could still get the old school globes that may use more power, but don't cause me to stress when they break!