The mercury in fluorescent lightbulbs reacts to the electricity that is run between the lightbulb's electrodes. Photons from this reaction collide with the inner coating of fluorescent lightbulbs resulting in the production of light.
On average, a fluorescent bulb contains about 5 mg of mercury. The larger the lightbulb, or the higher the wattage, the more mercury there will be in the lightbulb.
Mercury is a highly recyclable material. Do not send damaged or non-working fluorescent lightbulbs to local landfills, They should be taken to a recycling facility. Check with your county or municipality for a proper disposal location.
Care should be taken when handling damaged fluorescent lightbulbs because mercury is a very dangerous element. Pregnant women, or women breast-feeding their infants, should be especially careful. According to the Environmental Protection Agency website, mothers with no symptoms of nervous system damage have given birth to infants with severe disabilities following mercury poisoning. The EPA site states the developing nervous system of the fetus may be more vulnerable to methylmercury than the adult nervous system. Mothers who are exposed to mercury, and breast-feed their babies, may also expose their infant children through their milk, the EPA site states.
Mercury is known to be a toxic material to living things. People who handle, inhale or ingest mercury may experience serious side effects including respiratory failure, muscle atrophy, emotional changes, tremors and death.