Living creatures more easily absorb this new form of mercury, called methylmercury. Bioaccumulation causes mercury levels in animals to increase farther up the food chain. It is possible for a predator fish to have mercury levels one million times greater than the surrounding water. Symptoms from mercury poisoning include tremors, changes in vision or hearing, insomnia, weakness, difficulty with memory, headaches, irritability, shyness and nervousness. Children are the most at risk because mercury can interfere with development, causing irreversible affects.
Mercury can cause brain damage, disabilities, birth defects and even death.
The easiest way to store old bulbs is to put them into the boxes from new bulbs. Label the box appropriately so others will know it is not trash. Store the box in a safe location to prevent the bulbs from breaking. Broken bulbs need to be stored separately. Place broken bulbs in a non-metallic container lined with a plastic bag.