Lamp Disposal
Tanning lamps contain small amounts of mercury, and therefore have to be properly disposed as hazardous waste. This applies to both high pressure lamps as well as tube lamps.
Know how to clean up a broken lamp in your salon, and know how to properly recycle your spent lamps.
How to Clean Up Broken Lamps and Tubes
Households or Small Amounts of Breakage
In a household or for small quantity breakages, do not use a standard vacuum cleaner! Do not use ordinary residential and commercial floor vacuums, floor vacuums that trap dirt with water, or wet/dry shop vacuums. (For vacuum cleaning, only vacuums designed specifically for hazardous waste may be used.) Instead of vacuuming, wear latex gloves and carefully clean up the fragments. Wipe the area with a damp disposable paper towel to remove all glass fragments and associated mercury. Keep all people and pets away from area so that mercury-containing pieces and powder are not tracked into other areas. Keep the area well ventilated to disperse any vapor than may escape. After clean up is complete, place all fragments along with cleaning materials into a sealable plastic bag. Wash your hands. Recycle along with intact lamps.
Large Amounts of Breakage
For accidental breakage of larger numbers of lamps, such as a case or pallet, do not use a standard vacuum cleaner! Do not use ordinary residential and commercial floor vacuums, floor vacuums that trap dirt with water, or wet/dry shop vacuums. (For vacuum cleaning, only vacuums designed specifically for hazardous waste may be used.) Ventilate area where breakage occurred. Separate any unbroken lamps and cleanup breakage with a specialized mercury vacuum cleaner or other suitable means that avoids dust and mercury vapor generation. Place materials in closed containers. Recycle waste along with intact lamps.
Related Links
Department of Toxic Substances Control
Integrated Waste Management Board
Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers
