In all Migros stores in Basel, energy-saving light bulbs containing mercury are collected in a large container. As a result, a wide variety of light bulbs pile up on top of each other. Eventually some of them break. The FOPH points out that if a mercury-containing lamp breaks, it should be ventilated immediately and the remains should be sealed in an airtight jar (see below for source and original text). If a lamp in one of these containers breaks, Migros will not react. The gas escapes and the employees are poisoned. The FOPH itself assumes that the MAK values are briefly exceeded if the glass breaks. The lamps are safe for private use because there is no chronic exposure. At Migros Claramarkt, however, a sales assistant stands 5 meters away at the checkout of the clothing department all day long. And there is neither a window to ventilate nor a ventilation system installed above it. The MAK value is relevant here and must not be exceeded. A long-term measurement, e.g. by the Basel Air Hygiene Office (Rheinstrasse 44, 4410 Liestal), would be interesting
If a ventilation system were installed above this, it would have to be ensured that the mercury is not distributed in the house, i.e. it would have to be a separate ventilation system. Simply installing a ventilation system would not be enough.
Migros would have to install shelves instead of the large collection containers. There should be cardboard boxes on the shelves, with partitions so that the energy-saving light bulbs can be returned individually packaged (like Christmas baubles are packaged, for example). These boxes should have tight lids and be transported in airtight containers. This is the only way to guarantee employee protection for the drivers.
So what is Migros doing for its Generation M project?

Please change this.
Many thanks
Fabian Löpfe

Source:
http://www.bag.admin.ch/themen/chemikalien/00228/11969/index.html. [Access date: 18.06.2014]
-> "Energy-saving lamps: Questions and answers"

Original text:
4. what to do after an energy-saving lamp breaks?
a. Always ventilate the room before, during and after cleaning.
b. Put on rubber gloves.
c. Pick up splinters and dust on smooth surfaces with a folded cardboard box and
wipe with damp paper. On carpets, it is best to pick up the splinters
with adhesive tape.
d. Place all residues and the cleaning material (including gloves) in an airtight jar.
jar.
e. Then take the jar to the collection point for electronic devices or to the
point of sale.

12. although the maximum workplace concentration value (MAK value) is exceeded in the event of a
lamp breakage is exceeded, it is harmless to health. How is this
explained?
The MAK value is the maximum workplace concentration of a substance that a healthy
worker may be exposed to during a working time of 8 hours per day and 42 hours per week
over a longer period of time without endangering their health. This
is a chronic exposure. In the case of lamp breakage, however
acute exposure. Therefore, if toxicological guideline values for chronic
chronic exposure are slightly exceeded for a short time, this does not mean that the person was
toxicological risk. Therefore, this does not constitute a health hazard
health hazard.