Dropped a flourescent lightbulb.

[Old Blind Man]

I thought my question would be best suited to this forum, if it's not, I'm sorry and please move it.

So, while hanging a little t5 flourescent growlight, one of the brackets that held the light slipped and i dropped the thing 3 feet or so.

I know should have taking the bulb out first

Anyway it landed on the reflector, and the bulb looks ok so far as i can see and it still works. However, should I have any concern about it being cracked or of it no longer being sealed?

Thanks alot.

[Spatula Tzar]

If it still works, it's fine. If it cracks, the gases will leak out, and it won't work at all. Don't worry about it.

[Vargus]

Originally Posted by Spatula Tzar

If it still works, it's fine. If it cracks, the gases will leak out, and it won't work at all. Don't worry about it.

Yep. If it was cracked the mercury vapor would leak out and then the fluorescent effect would diminish and produce alot less light.

[Impolite]

Originally Posted by Vargus

Yep. If it was cracked the mercury vapor would leak out

Which is why I wouldn't even risk it and would dispose of the thing right away.

[Nelokjer]

years ago the Rockwell company (now lockheed-martin) they had an interesting method of disposing of old fluorescent bulbs... they mounted an electric motor to the bottom of a steel drum, then welded a chain on the shaft, and just fed them down. Most of those people are alive and getting rather old; theres not enough mercury to be a problem.